Heterotopic and orthotopic liver transplants in inbred rat strains

The functioning and survival of orthotopic liver allotransplants in toto were compared with heterotopic partial and whole allotransplants in inbred rats. In contrast to the rapid and aggressive rejection of the heterotopic allografts, the orthotopic whole-liver allografts survived for prolonged periods. These latter grafts were subjected to mild cellular attack 11 to 12 days following transplantation, but they survived without the massive cellular infiltration and hepatocytolysis seen in the heterotopic partial grafts. Biliary secretion by the orthotopic whole-liver allografts was functional throughout the survival period and was markedly increased during the final stages of survival, whereas the heterotopic liver grafts ceased to excrete normal bile by day 9, after which they were completely depigmented.