Nerve allografts and histocompatibility in dogs.

The histocompatibility requirements for successful frozen nerve allografts were studied in 46 dogs. Major canine histocompatibility (DLA) differences appeared to be of vital importance for nerve regeneration and function, as judged by histological and electromyographic performance 7 to 9 months after grafting. Minor histocompatibility differences did not appear to lead to rejection of the frozen nerve allografts. Graft irradiation did not improve the acceptability of frozen DLA-mismatched grafts. The effect of DLA matching was much more pronounced in allografts 7 cm long than in allografts 4 cm long. The results indicate the need for a bank of frozen human histocompatible (HLA) nerve allografts, and a study of the effect of partial or complete HLA matching on their survival.