Objective To observe the configuration and viability of full thickness human fetal retina after short-, mid- and long-term preservation. Methods Twenty-two full thickness human fetal retinae of gestational age of 12-24 weeks were coated by glutin and cut into 88 pieces, and then preserved in Ames' solution, DX solution, -80℃ refrigerator or under cryopreservation condition. The cell viability of retinal neuroepithelial layer was determined by trypan blue staining, retinal configuration was determined by light microscope and electromicroscope. Results The viability of neuroepithelial layer was (94.79 plusmn;2.85) % in fresh fetal retina,  gt;80% in Ames' solution within 4 hours, and  gt;77% in DX solution within 2 days. There was no significant difference between those solution-preservations and the fresh fetal. In -80℃ refrigerator, the viability was (65.83 plusmn;5.06)% after 7 days, and then dropped to (57.54 plusmn;16.18)% at the end of the first month. Under the cryopreservation condition, the viability was (69.46 plusmn;9.31)% at the end of first month. Light and transmission electron microscopy had not deteced any abnormals in the full thickness human fetal retina preserved in Ames' solution within 2 hours, but showed clear 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' solution and DX solution can preserve good viability and configuration of full thickness human fetal retina in a certain time period.

Citation： Shiying Li Yuxiao Zeng Chuanhuang Weng Shaojun Chen Zhengqin Yin. Short-, mid- and long-term preservation of human fetal retina. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2008, 24(6): 444-447. doi: Copy