Comparison of Autologous, Homologous, and Heterologous Normal Skin Grafts in the Hamster Cheek Pouch.

Abstract

In order to evaluate the cheek pouch of the Syrian hamster as a site for transplantation of adult tissues, a comparison was made of the survival at this site of skin from the same animal (autograft), from hamsters in the same colony (homograft), and from rabbits (heterograft). Heterografts were capable of surviving and proliferating for at least 6 weeks in both cortisonized and untreated animals. Cortisone enhanced survival and growth. In contrast, ortho-topically placed heterografts survived and grew equally well. Both were inhibited by cortisone. The results are in accord with the view that the hamster cheek pouch is an immunologically privileged environment for heterografts.