Molecular differentiation of the mouse genital tract: serum-free organ culture system for morphological and biochemical correlations.

This report describes a serum-free system for studying the fetal mouse genital tract in organ culture. Using the techniques of isoelectric focusing and gel electrophoresis of polypeptides synthesized by the organ explant in culture, the biochemical integrity of as little as 1 to 2 mg of this tissue was determined during the period of culture. Thus, differentiation of the fetal genital tissue in organ culture can be assessed by both morphological and biochemical criteria.