The Effects of Different Conditions of Organ Culture on the Survival of the Mouse Pancreas

The effects of different conditions of organ culture on the viability of murine pancreatic tissues and, particularly, of pancreatic islets, was assessed by morphologic and histochemical analyses. High oxygen tension (1300 mm Hg), found previously to allow successful allogeneic thyroid transplantation, was toxic to pancreatic tissue. Low temperature (22 degrees C) was associated with better islet preservation than high temperature (37 degrees C). Hydrocortisone did not reduce the survival of pancreatic islets and did appear to preserve the acinar components. Fetal and neonatal pancreas responded similarly to the various organ culture conditions. These results have potential importance in guiding future transplantation experiments.