Cryoprecipitated plasma perfusion preservation and cold storage preservation of duct-ligated pancreatic allografts.

It has been shown previously that, at least in dogs, a vascularized pancreatic allograft with ligation of the pancreatic duct can maintain normal beta-cell function for at least 5 years. In this study common organ preservation techniques, as used in human cadaveric kidney transplantation, were applied to canine pancreatic allografts to determine the influence of 24-hour preservation on beta-cell function, graft survival and histological appearances. Three groups of dogs were compared: group A consisted of 9 dogs with fresh grafts; group B consisted of 5 dogs who received grafts preserved for 24 hours by pulsatile hypothermic cryoprecipitated plasma perfusion; and group C was composed of 5 animals who received grafts that had been flushed with Collins' solution followed by hypothermic storage for 24 hours. It appeared that both preservation methods were equally effective and that preservation did not alter either the graft's function or its histological appearance. No significant differences after transplantation were observed in the endocrine function tests of the three groups when compared with the preoperative values; neither was there a significant difference in the mean graft survival time between the groups.

Endocrine function of the canine pancreas. The effect of duct ligation and transplantation of the total duct ligated pancreas.

Pancreas transplantation was studied in the dog using a total duct ligated pancreas as allograft. In a group of 10 mongrel dogs the effects of long-term (6-36 months) total duct ligation on the endocrine pancreas function were studied by means of repeated intravenous glucose tolerance tests (iv-GTT). One year after total duct ligation the mean glucose assimilation coefficient (k-value) was 75%, the median insulin peak value (IPV) 63% and "total" insulin secretion in the first thirty minutes (TIS) 58% of the pre-operative values. These levels were maintained up to three years after duct ligation. The total duct ligated pancreas was then used as an allograft in 28 beagles in order to study the influence of DL-A (dog leucocyte-antigens) matching on the survival time of the graft. DL-A identity compared to one or two haplotype difference gave a fourfold increase in median survival time from 9 to 40 days. In a second group of 14 beagles with one haplotype difference the effect of immunosuppressive therapy was studied. The methods used (antilymphocyte serum and a combination of prednisone and azathioprine) increased the median survival time to the level seen in DL-A identity. In conclusion the total duct ligated pancreas can be used as an insulin secreting allograft, providing rejection can be suppressed adequately.

The effect of donor blood on renal allograft survival in DL-A tissue typed beagle littermates.

A single transfusion of 200 ml of donor blood 14 days before renal transplantation in prospectively DL-A tissue typed beagle littermates appeared to have an effect on graft survival. Seventeen per cent of the recipients did respond to the transfusion with formation of lymphocytotoxic and haemagglutinating antibodies. These "responder dogs" rejected kidney grafts in an accelerated way, compared with the "nonresponders" and with the nontreated control dogs. Responsiveness appeared to occur in pairs of littermates, which suggests that responding potency is genetically determined. There was histological evidence of acute arteritis in the renal grafts of responders, whereas cell-mediated rejection was noted in nonresponders.

Vasocystostomy, a new technique of sperm output measurement.

A vasocystostomy in the rat is described, a new technique simplifying the common methods of spermatozoa output measuring. In two series of different rat strains a mean output of 21.1 X 10(6) and 29.0 X 10(6) spermatozoa per 24 h were found. Perspectives of the new method are discussed.