Renal transplantation in the rat. II. In vitro perfusion of rat kidneys before transplantation.

The use of rats in renal preservation studies has many advantages: homogeneity, the availability of inbred strains, low cost, and simplicity of handling. Techniques for renal transplantation in the rat are already established. The present work was performed to standardize the isolated hypothermic perfusion of rat kidneys, using the clearing of blood as a reference point. Reproducibility of isolated perfusion was attained, when the donor rat was anaesthetized with Inactin and pretreated with phenoxybenzamine and heparin. Perfusion was performed with constant flow under controlled temperature conditions, and the perfusion pressure was monitored. Comparative studies of the clearance of blood from the cortex and outer medulla are included in this model. Provided the microsurgical technique is mastered, the rat may be used for studies of renal preservation. The developed technique permits the kidney to be perfused under controlled conditions.