A Continuous Flow Method for Organ Culture of Rabbit Epididymis: Morphology, Amino Acid Utilization, Glucose Uptake, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
² Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique and Institut National des Sciences, Appliquées de Lyon, Lyon, France

A modified perfusion system was developed to maintain an unconvoluted tubule from the corpus epididymidis of the rabbit in organ culture. The epididymal explant is submerged in a continuous flow of oxygenated medium. The design facilitates pulse incorporation of labeled precursors and subsequent culture of the explant without disturbing the immediate explant environment. The morphology of the explant is well preserved even after six days in culture. Amino acid utilization and glucose uptake by the explants are higher in continuous flow than in static cultures, and continue even after four to seven days in culture, although at a lower rate than in the first three days. Radioautographic observations indicate that explants maintain their capacity for protein synthesis. This method of organ culture will prove useful in the study of some aspects of epididymal physiology.

     Key words: epididymis, organ culture, glucose uptake, amino acid utilization, metabolism, rabbit

Submitted on April 21, 1980
Revised on August 11, 1980
Accepted on August 11, 1980