Oxygen Supply and Stability of Chromosomes in Mouse Embryo Cells In Vitro

Summary

Chromosomes of a line of cells derived in vitro from minced C3Hf mouse embryos were studied after the cells had been exposed to continuous intermittent gassing with humidified gas mixtures containing 20 and 2% oxygen. Cells supplied with 20% O₂ underwent a more rapid shiFt from diploidy and had a higher Frequency of abnormal chromosomes than those grown at 2% O₂. These results suggest that the O₂ tension of the gas environment may be an important Factor inFluencing karyotypic stability in vitro.