Abstract
Summary
Thyroid gland of guinea pig was subjected to low temperatures (−70°, or −190°C) and subsequently autotransplanted. In some instances pituitary thyrotropin was administered before or after transplantation in order to increase the growth potential of the transplant and overcome the injurious effects incident to transferring the tissue. There was one successful transplantation of thyroid gland in 12 attempts after exposure at −70°C and one parathyroid transplant. Eight viable thyroid grafts in 12 attempts were obtained after immersion at −190°C. The significance of these findings with respect to rapidity of freezing is discussed in their relation to the mechanism of survival of mammalian cells and tissues exposed to extremely low temperature. The relation of these results to evidence purported to indicate a viral transmission of transplanted frozen-dehydrated tumor material is also pointed out.
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