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Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology1996; 429(2-3); 159-164; doi: 10.1007/BF00192438

Variability of cardiomyocyte DNA content, ploidy level and nuclear number in mammalian hearts.

Abstract: DNA content, ploidy level, cell size and nuclear number were investigated in 54 mammalian hearts from nine species. DNA content was determined biochemically and ploidy level of cells was studied by the means of Feulgen cytophotometry. Nuclear number was calculated by a new method, while cell size was determined by using ocular micrometry. In most mammals diploid cell nuclei predominate. Higher ploidy levels were found in the human and the pig hearts. The total amount of DNA correlated with the myocardial weight. Eight million heart muscle cell nuclei were found in mice (myocardial weight 160 mg), and 2600 million heart muscle cell nuclei in the human heart (myocardial weight 210 g), but in the hearts of horses up to 35000 million heart muscle cell nuclei (myocardial weight 3.4 kg) were found. The number of heart muscle and connective tissue cell nuclei was correlated with myocardial weight. The ratio of connective tissue cell nuclei to heart muscle cell nuclei was between 2:1 and 3:1. In cardiac growth this ratio shifted towards connective tissue cell nuclei. Increased heart weight corresponds to an increase in cell size. Diameter between 11 microns and 18 microns may be an optimum for heart muscle cells of mammals.
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Publication Date: 1996-10-01 PubMed ID: 8917717DOI: 10.1007/BF00192438Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article presents a study comparing DNA content, ploidy levels, cell size and nuclear number in the hearts of different mammalian species. The results reveal notable variation between species, with human and pig hearts showing higher ploidy levels. The cell size and quantity of DNA was found to correlate with the weight of the heart muscle.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers collected heart samples from 54 mammals across nine different species for this study.
  • They utilized Feulgen cytophotometry as their method for examining ploidy levels of cells, a biochemistry technique which measures DNA content.
  • The DNA content within each cell was determined via biochemical analyses.
  • Cell size was established using ocular micrometry, a type of microscope measurement tool.
  • A unique calculation method was developed specifically for this study to establish the number of nuclei present.

Key Findings

  • In most of the mammals studied, the researchers discovered that diploid cell nuclei were most common. This means that the cells in these hearts contained two complete sets of chromosomes.
  • Higher ploidy figures were found in human and pig hearts – indicating more complex DNA arrangements and cellular functioning.
  • The weight of the myocardium (heart muscle) was proportionate to the amount of DNA found. This suggests that larger hearts contain larger quantities of DNA.
  • The raw numbers of heart muscle cell nuclei counted ranged dramatically between species, from eight million in mice to 35,000 million in horses. This could reflect the vastly different heart sizes in these creatures and further strengthen the link between myocardial weight and DNA quantity.
  • The researchers found a connection between the number of nuclei in heart muscle cells and connective tissue cells, and the overall weight of the myocardium. This suggests a link between the cell configuration and the physical mass of the heart.
  • As heart weight increased, so did cell size. This is in line with the findings related to DNA quantity and myocardial weight, and suggests that heart growth involves an expansion of individual cell size rather than a proliferation of cells.
  • An optimum cell diameter range was proposed for mammalian heart muscle cells: between 11 and 18 microns.

Cite This Article

APA
Adler CP, Friedburg H, Herget GW, Neuburger M, Schwalb H. (1996). Variability of cardiomyocyte DNA content, ploidy level and nuclear number in mammalian hearts. Virchows Arch, 429(2-3), 159-164. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00192438

Publication

Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology
ISSN: 0945-6317
NlmUniqueID: 9423843
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 429
Issue: 2-3
Pages: 159-164

Researcher Affiliations

Adler, C P
  • Institute of Pathology (Ludwig-Aschoff-Haus), Freiburg, Germany.
Friedburg, H
    Herget, G W
      Neuburger, M
        Schwalb, H

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
          • DNA / genetics
          • DNA / metabolism
          • Gene Dosage
          • Humans
          • In Vitro Techniques
          • Mammals / genetics
          • Mammals / metabolism
          • Myocardium / cytology
          • Myocardium / metabolism
          • Myocardium / ultrastructure
          • Ploidies

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