Auto-transplantation of rabbit myometrium into ear-chamber and recording of its activity

A transparent ear-chamber and its installation in the rabbit is described as well as the subsequent autografting of myometrial tissue into the connective tissue formed in the chamber. Of the rabbits initially provided with ear-chambers 65% were found to be suitable for grafting while finally only 40% of these presented activity either spontaneously or induced by stretch or oxytocin. Qualitative evaluation of the mechanical activity was obtained by photo-electric recording of the transmission of light through the graft. An evaluation of the electrical activity was made possible by recording volume conducted potentials from wire electrodes in contact with the grafted tissue. A close time interrelationship between electrical potentials and change in transmission of light of the graft was found. Oxytocin produced electrical activity and blanching of the graft. It is concluded that recording of the electrical activity provides the most reliable way of expressing the activity of grafted myometrium.