Abstract
The present series of experiments have been concerned with the attempt at cultivating in vitro rat sarcoma, rat spleen and mouse carcinoma, in plasma obtained from animals of other species, and at analyzing the factors contributing to the phenomena observed.
In a former note we recorded the fact that mouse and rat plasma could be interchanged as culture media for the tumors of these species, but that growth seemed to be more vigorous when homologous plasma was used. Guinea pig, rabbit, dog, goat, human and pigeon plasmas have been employed in the studies herewith reported.
For determining the viability of tissue under the conditions of the experiment we have made transfers of the pieces to homologous plasma—a rapid and satisfactory test. Animal inoculations have also been made in the case of tumor tissue, but aside from the delay in noting the results the procedure has other objections.
As a culture medium for rat sarcoma guinea pig plasma is only slightly less suitable than rat plasma, the difference consisting chiefly in the extent of the out-wandering of cells. The cells may remain viable in a single drop of plasma for twelve days or more; we have had pieces which showed marked activity after a month's sojourn in several drops of the alien medium. Mouse carcinoma seems to grow almost as well in guinea pig plasma as in rat plasma. Mitoses have been observed after eight days, and cultures nine days old produced tumors when inoculated into mice.
Rabbit plasma is distinctly less suitable for the growth of mouse and rat tumors. Liquefaction about the pieces of tissue is often quite marked. With sarcoma the growth, though relatively slow, may continue for ten to twelve days.
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