Rat prostate explants in serum-free organ culture: A comparison of two media and gas mixtures

BACKGROUND. Urologists are looking for a way to easily discriminate between aggressive and very slow-growing prostate tumors. A sound way to appreciate such developing activities would be to identify an appropriate cell marker in prostate explants maintained in a defined culture system. METHODS. Different biological parameters were compared in rat prostate explants cultured for 5 days in rich CMRL or basic Leibovitz's L-15 medium, unsupplemented with serum, under a mixture of either 95% air/5% CO2 or 50% N-2/45% O-2/5% CO2. RESULTS. DNA synthesis was somewhat similar with the two-gas combination, but was higher in explants maintained in L-15 medium than in CMRL. Hence, L-15 medium and the 95% air/5% CO2 mixture were selected. Under these defined conditions for 5 days, cells were still able to synthesize DNA and proteins while preserving their morphological integrity and maintaining alkaline and acid phosphatase activities. CONCLUSIONS. Since the present culture system works well in a controlled environment and under such minimal conditions, it appears to be a reliable and promising model that will provide basic data and allow the study of hormones and growth factors involved in prostatic tissue growth. It might eventually permit the identification of a cell marker. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.