Abstract
We have developed an organ culture model for the study of biochemical and morphological maturation in late gestation fetal rat lung. Lungs from 18 or 19 day fetal rats are chopped into cubes with 0.8 mm sides using a McIlwain tissue chopper. The explants are placed on a millipore filter supported on a stainless steel grid and cultured in F12 medium in 95%O2, 5%CO2 at 37'C. Use of an air and CO2 environment resulted in areas of central necrosis. Morphologic maturation continues in culture with the progressive development of larger and more numerous alveoli, flatter alveolar lining cells and less stromal tissue. There is a progressive decrease in type II cell glycogen content and an increase in the number of lamellar bodies. Vascular elements are less well preserved. Biochemical findings after varying periods in culture are tabulated below. Values are expressed as a percentage of those obtained with fresh lung tissue from 18 or 19 day fetuses. This data indicates that fetal lung remains viable in short term organ culture, a useful model for the study of hormonal influences on lung development. Supported by HL19752.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
