Whole blood leukocyte culture technique for mammalian cytogenetic analysis

In the past, the in vitro culture of leukocytes for cytogenetic analysis has required a slightly altered technique for each animal species. This study showed that a simple, yet standardized, in vitro culture system was readily applicable to growth of bovine, canine, equine, feline, ovine and porcine blood leukocytes. The major features of the standardized technique included: 1) the use of whole heparinized blood; 2) a minimum, unfortified culture medium; and 3) a vortex mixer for mixing materials during the hypotonic and fixative stages of the harvesting procedure.