Abstract
The cytocentrifuge has been used as a tool to obtain preparations from suspension cultures suitable for quantitative cytochemical analysis. Three continuous suspension cultures of human lymphocytic cells (CCRF-CEM, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; CCRF-RKB, infectious mononucleosis; and EB-3, Burkitt's lymphoma) and a suspension of mouse inguinal lymph node lymphocytes were examined for quantitative differential effects on cellular dry mass and Feulgen-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contents caused by cytocentrifugation. When using a cytocentrifuge technique which results in a dry preparation, a quantitative loss was observed for cellular dry mass but not for Feulgen-DNA. However, if a medium which prevented bursting, swelling or loss of cellular constituents during cytocentrifugation was used and if the preparation was maintained in the wet state (no air-drying), acceptable preparations for both dry mass and Feulgen-DNA quantitation can be obtained. These and other observations on centrifugal force, centrifuge time and suspending medium emphasize the importance of specimen preparation when quantitating cell parameters that may themselves be altered by the method of preparation.