Flow microfluorometric DNA content measurements of tissue culture cells and peripheral lymphocytes

The difference in DNA content of peripheral lymphocytes from normal males, normal females, and an individual with a 48 (xxxy) chromosome constitution was determined by rapid flow microfluorometric techniques. A similar comparison was performed using tissue culture fibroblasts derived from an individual with a 49 (xxxxy) chromosome constitution and WI-38 cells as a normal control. Less than 60 min were required to isolate the lymphocytes, to stain the cells fluorescently, and to measure the increased DNA content. The measured increase in DNA content is consistent with chromosome DNA analyses and chromosome length measurements.