Abstract:
This study investigated the sterility and Preservability of Ringer's Lactate, Darrows, 5% dextrose and Normal Saline
solutions used as preservatives for 16 freshly harvested normal canine kidneys from 16 Nigerian local dogs of non
specific sex and weight. Nephrectomised kidneys were flushed and preserved for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours at 4 OC in
labeled bowls containing heparinized antibiotics incorporated in the solutions with each having its control (without
antibiotic penicillin/streptomycin incorporated). Pre and post preservation, a loop-full of each solution was cultured on
freshly prepared two general purpose media (Blood and nutrient agar) and one selective medium (MacConkey agar).
They were incubated at 37 OC for 48 hours after which they were examined for bacterial growth. Histological studies of
the preserved kidneys were used to predict preservability. There was no evidence of microbial growth upon 96 hours of
culture for all the solutions their respective controls). Generally, the gross appearances of the kidneys were normal
indicative of viability. In conclusion, the indigenous, commercially produced intravenous fluids that were used for
preservation' of harvested kidneys were sterile before and after 96 hours of preservation. This was evident by the
absence of microbial growth in both groups of the solutions after 96 hours preservation,
Kevwords: Sterility, Solution, Canine Kidney, Preservability, Transplantation.
