The effect of tissue culture agar on chromosome breakage, sister-chromatid exchanges and clonogenicity in human cells.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the cytogenetic effects of electromagnetic fields, a system containing an agar gel was developed to support the growth of various human cell types (peripheral lymphocytes, lymphoblasts, and fibroblasts). When compared to alioquots of identical cells, grown in plastic culture vessels, statistically significant increases in the frequencies of chromosome breakage, sister-chromatid exchange and decreased cloning efficiency were observed in those cells cultured in the agar. These results suggest a possible clastogenic and/or cytotoxic component in the agar gel.