A TECHNIQUE OF ORGAN CULTURE FOR PROTRACTED METABOLISM STUDIES

Abstract

The development of a perfusion apparatus capable of sustaining life and growth in an excised organ has occasioned much study. Carrel and Lindbergh (1938) presented the technique as developed by them and their associates at that time. Most recently Long (1946) and Anderson and Long (1947) and Hetcher (1948) have shown the value of an in vitro study of organ function by this type of technique. None of the above workers has been able to state that growth was grossly visible in their preparations. In their discussion Carrel and Lindbergh point out that the absence of red cells in the perfusion medium probably kept their preparations from exhibiting full function. The work of Anderson and Long has been concerned chiefly with short time studies in which growth would be difficult to ascertain. Our work has dealt with repeated studies on the same isolated organ perfused for several days. Each single study lasted approximately 24 hours.