The role(s) of one family of polypeptide growth factors in a developing organ system was examined. Renal anlagen (metanephroi) were surgically removed from 13-d-old rat embryos and grown in organ culture for up to 6 d. Over this period of time when placed in serum-free defined media, the metanephroi increased in size and morphologic complexity. Messenger RNAs for both insulin-like growth factor...

INTRODUCTION: In vitro organ culture studies of the intervertebral disc (IVD) have been commonly used to understand the biologic and mechanical pathways contributing to disc degeneration. In particular, small animal models such as rat and rabbit have many advantages over large animals in an organ culture standpoint. Temporal and spatial stability of cell viability and extracellular matrix conte...