The effect of low temperature and storage on the viability and mouse strain specificity of ascitic tumor cells.

Abstract

The effect of freezing ascites tumor cells in medium M 150 plus 20 per cent glycerol, followed by storage at −70° C., has been studied, with the 6C3HED lymphosarcoma, the TA3 mammary carcinoma, and the Ehrlich carcinoma. No reduction in the viability of these cells was observed during storage periods of up to 6 months. The freezing technic employed was found to alter the mouse strain specificity of the 6C3HED and TA3 cells. These specific tumors became nonspecific in character and could be transplanted interchangeably and, apparently, indefinitely in C3H, CAF1, and Connaught mice. The loss of specificity appeared to occur during the freezing and thawing process and to be irreversible. Loss of mouse strain specificity was not found to be associated with a change in the chromosome number of the cells.