THE METAPHASE CHROMOSOMES OF CHINESE HAMSTER LIVER CELLS FOLLOWING PARTIAL HEPATECTOMY

Abstract

A procedure for preparing and observing metaphase chromosomes of the Chinese hamster is described. The technique involved surgical removal of a constant fraction of the liver to stimulate cell division, injection of colchicine to accumulate metaphase cells and a squash technique for spreading the meta-phase chromosomes. A peak in the mitotic index was observed at 54 hours post-partial hepatectomy. Advantages of scoring metaphase as opposed to telophase and anaphase figures are discussed and examples of normal and 144Ce exposed cells are shown. These techniques can be used in the study of internally deposited radioactive material and other toxic agents which have their major effect on the liver.