Multiple-organ harvesting for models of isolated hemoperfused organs of slaughtered pigs

Single- and multiorgan transplantations for the treatment of terminal cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic and renal diseases gain therapeutic importance and transplantation research using mammalian models of isolated perfused organs resembles a major field for the improvement of transplantation techniques. We established a new method of multiple organ harvesting from slaughterhouse pigs which may be used to reduce numbers of laboratory animals. 492 organs (hearts n = 191, lungs n = 108, livers n = 48, kidneys n = 145) were harvested, perfused with autologous blood to prevent artificial perfusion effects and examined for optimal organ harvesting and preservation conditions by analysing organ specific perfusion parameters. For each organ, specific techniques in regard to dissection, cannulation and periods of ischemia have to be applied to guarantee appropriate organ perfusion. In summary, our data indicate that porcine organs obtained by multiple organ harvesting from commercial slaughterhouse animals can be efficiently used for isolated and perfused organ models. The harvesting process did not disturb the commercial use of the animals. Thus, multiple or single organ harvesting may be a useful method to reduce the use of laboratory animals.