Short-,mid-and long-term preservation of human fetal retina

Objective To observe the configuration and viability of full thickness human fetal retinaafter short-,mid-and long-term preservation.Methods Twenty-two full thickness human fetal retinaeof gestational age of 12-24 weeks were coated by glutin and cut into 88 pieces,and then preserved inAmes' solution,DX solution,-80℃ refrigerator or under cryopreservation condition.The cell viability ofretinal neuroepithelial layer was determined by trypan blue staining,retinal configuration was determinedby light microscope and electromicroscope.Results The viability of neuroepithelial layer was(94.79±2.85)% in fresh fetal retina,>80% in Ames' solution within 4 hours,and>77% in DX solution within2 days.There was no significant difference between those solution-preservations and the fresh fetal.In-80℃ refrigerator,the viability was(65.83±5.06)% after 7 days,and then dropped tO(57.54±16.18)% at the end of the first month.Under the cryopreservation condition,the viability was(69.46±9.31)% at the end of first month.Light and transmission electron microscopy had not deteced anyabnormals in the full thickness human fetal retina preserved in Ames's solution within 2 hours,but showedclear retinal layers with bigger intercellular space after preserved in DX solution for 2 days,in-80℃refrigerator for 7 days and under cryopreservation condition for 1 month.Conclusion Ames' solutionand DX solution can preserve good viability and configuration of full thickness human fetal retina in acertain time period. Key words: Retina/pathologic physiology; Tissue preservation; Cryopreservation/methods