Proliferation and morphology of chick embryo cells cultured in the presence of horse serum and hemoglobin.

The research study examined the effects of different serum types on the proliferation and shape changes in cultured chick embryo cells, finding that the addition of hemoglobin encouraged proliferation and cell shape changes.

Background

• The researchers had previously demonstrated that hemoglobin increased the growth of chick embryo cells when added to a specific culture medium supplemented with horse serum.

Methodology

• The researchers cultured chick embryo cells in a medium containing horse serum and hemoglobin, and compared the effects on the cell growth and morphology to those in a medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum.
• The cells were grown at high densities and their morphology and proliferation rates were monitored.

Findings

• The cells grown in the presence of fetal bovine serum became elongated, and their rate of growth gradually decreased.
• Conversely, cells grown in the presence of horse serum and hemoglobin took on a polygonal shape and proliferated well in successive cell divisions.
• When the polygonal cells were grown at lower densities with fetal bovine serum, they became elongated.
• However, the elongated cells did not become polygonal when cultured at low densities with horse serum and hemoglobin.

Conclusions

• The researchers suggested that the elongated cells could be differentiating myogenic cells and the polygonal cells might be undifferentiated cells.