Morphometric analysis of alpha-1, 3-galactosyltransferase knockout pig kidney and heart

Lab Anim. 2020 Dec;54(6):599-604. doi: 10.1177/0023677220915218. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Abstract

We report a morphometric evaluation of α1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GTKO) pig heart and kidney (n = 9) at the end of one, three and seven months. Organs parameters gradually increased with the age (p < 0.05) and body weight (p < 0.05) of the pigs. Organs morphometries were significantly correlated to the age and body weight of the animal. We were able to conclude the average size of GTKO pig heart and kidney based on age and body weight, which could be helpful in estimating the size of these organs non-invasively for transplantation.

Keywords: 3-galactosyltransferase knockout pig; Alpha-1; morphometries; xenotransplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Galactosyltransferases / deficiency*
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Heart / anatomy & histology*
  • Kidney / anatomy & histology*
  • Male
  • Sus scrofa / anatomy & histology*
  • Sus scrofa / genetics

Substances

  • Galactosyltransferases
  • N-acetyllactosaminide alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase