Stimulation of amniotic fluid cells by fibroblast growth factor

Abstract

Amniotic fluid cells were grown in modified Dulbecco''s medium with and without the following additives in different combinations: fibroblast growth factor (FGF), dexamethasone (DME), insulin and cyclic GMP under controlled conditions. Experiments were also conducted with varying amounts of fetal calf serum and FGF to establish optimum levels. Comparative growth, determined by measuring 3H-thymidine uptake, showed that the combination of FGF, DME and insulin in medium with 20% fetal calf serum produced the highest growth rate. The culture time of amniotic fluid cells for chromosome studies can now be reduced by 25%. FGF did not have any deleterious effect on the chromosomes. Applicability to prenatal diagnosis of human diseases is inferred.