[Number of Purkinje cells with an increased DNA content in rat cerebellum]

Using cytospectrophotometry, DNA quantities were measured in the Purkinje cells from a large number of animals. The Purkinje cells appeared to be either diploid or having hypercontent of DNA (HC). HC-nuclei were detected in the cerebellum of rats of different lines; the number of nuclei not depending of the animal's sex or age. No difference in the number of HC-nuclei was recorded in the animals of different litters. Out of 45 Wistar and non-inbred rats, HC-nuclei was found in 19 animals (0.5 to 7.0 per animal).