[DNA content in cells of spontaneous hepatomas in CBA mice]

The DNA content was measured in the cells of 37 well-differentiated spontaneous hepatomas from 20 CBA mice aged 18 to 22 months. In all the cases, the DNA distribution pattern was polymodal, with the class of tetraploid cells being predominant. It was independent of the tumor ability to produce AFP. No signs of aneuploidy were noted. The cells of spontaneous hepatomas were characterized by a high level of polyploidy and by a dramatic reduction in the number of binuclear cells as compared with liver cells. A tendency was recorded toward positive correlation between the degree of cellular polyploidy and tumor size. The high level of polyploidy seen in spontaneous hepatomas which is also characteristic of the normal liver is considered to be a sign of tumor maturity.