Cell Volume Reduction Associated with Interphase Death in Rat Thymocytes

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Abstract
Correlation of interphase death with cell volume reduction in rat thymocytes was examined using an automated cell size distribution analyzer (Coulter Channelyzer). After X irradiation from 50-2000 R in vitro, cell suspensions were incubated at 37.degree. C for 4 h. Cell size distribution was measured during and after incubation. The irradiated thymocyte suspension consisted of 2 discrete subpopulations, one of normal size (107 .mu.m3) and the other of smaller size (75 .mu.m3). The number of smaller cells increased parallel to a rise in dead(erythrosine B stained)-cell counts with incubation time and radiation dose. Smaller cells may correspond to dead thymocytes. This was confirmed by examining a centrifugally separated dead-cell population, which had a size distribution curve similar to the smaller cells. Whether small-cell counts can serve as a new criterion for interphase death is discussed.

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