Secretion of mucin by explants of rabbit and human cervix in organ culture.

Small explants (2-3 mm3) of endocervix from virgin, estrous rabbits, and from hospitalized patients undergoing hysterectomy for nonneoplastic disease, were placed in organ culture and maintained in serum-free media for 4 days at 35 degrees C in a humid environment of 95% air/5% CO2. Waymouth's MB 752/1 with 10-5 M hydrocortisone succinate, 10-7 M retinyl acetate, and 1 microgram/ml insulin proved to be an excellent medium for maintaining these tissues, as judged by examination with light and scanning electron microscopy after incubation for 5 days. The explants incorporated the radiolabeled glycoprotein precursor, tritiated glucosamine, and secreted labeled mucin glycoproteins in vitro. Mucin released into the culture medium contained sialic acid and hexosamine in a molar ratio of approximately 0.5-0.8:1.0. Although some alterations occur in the morphology of secretory cells and their products after maintenance in culture for several days, the system can be utilized for studying various aspects of the cell biology of cervical mucin secretion.