• 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40 (7), 2433-2436
Abstract
A malignant Nb rat lymphoma which in vivo is stimulated by estrogens was established in suspension culture. The cultured cells grew readily in Fischer''s medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (10%) and 2-mercaptoethanol (10-4 M). If horse serum was substituted for fetal calf serum, population growth ceased; i.e., cultures became stationary. Such stationary cultures could be induced to resume active growth by the addition of a pituitary hormone, prolactin (ovine, rat); concentrations as low as 10 pg/ml had a detectable effect. Other pituitary hormones or estrogens had little or no effect. Prolactin (or related substances) apparently has a role in the growth of some cancers of lymphoid origin in rats.