Analysis of Survival of Allogeneic Fetal Liver Fragments in Rats

Abstract

The survival of allogeneic fetal liver fragments in the omentum was analyzed in rats. The lymphocyte subsets of the spleen and peripheral blood were also examined. When the fetal liver fragments were transplanted into the omentum, they survived for 2 wk, whereas adult liver fragments survived only 1 wk. In fetal liver fragments transplantation, the CD8 positive lymphocyte percentage in peripheral blood decreased significantly 3 wk after transplantation in comparison with that in adult liver fragment transplantation. The skin graft of the donor party showed a longer median survival time in rats receiving fetal liver fragment transplants than that in recipients of adult liver fragments. Although further study is needed, allogeneic fetal liver fragments survived longer in the omentum than reported elsewhere, and the decrease of CD8 positive peripheral blood lymphocytes may have been the reason for this.