Cell Cycle Stage Analysis of Rabbit Foetal Fibroblasts and Cumulus Cells

Abstract

Synchronization of the cell cycle stages in G(0)/G(1) phase is one of the key factors determining the success of nuclear transplantation. Serum deprivation, contact inhibition and chemical inhibitors are widely used methods for this purpose. In this study, cell cycle stages of foetal fibroblasts and cumulus cells were determined using flow cytometry [fluorescence-activated cell scan (FACS)]. Foetal fibroblasts (in vitro cultured for 72-120 h) and fresh cumulus cells were analysed in Experiment 1. Fifty to 55% proliferating fibroblasts remained in G(0)/G(1) phase compared with 78% in confluent culture (p < 0.05). In contrast to foetal fibroblasts, fresh cumulus cells maintained 90% of the population in the G(0)/G(1) stage. When serum was retrieved from the proliferating fibroblasts from day I to day 5 (Experiment 2), proportions of G(0)/G(1) cells increased from the initial ratio of 53 to 87% at day 4 of starvation, which was significantly higher than the non-starved proliferating cells (p < 0.05). In Experiment 3, fibroblasts were treated with aphidicolin (0.1 mug/ml, 6 h), demicolcine (0.5 mug/ml, 10 h). or a combination of these two chemicals to synchronize the cell cycle stages. Surprisingly, no differences or significantly lower in the proportions of G(0)/G(1) phase cells were detected (25-50%) compared with the uncontrolled growing cells (53%). These results suggested that fresh cumulus cells rest their cell cycle in G(0)/G(1) stage. Serum deprivation became effective in the first 24 h and reached the highest proportions during days 4-5 after deprivation. Chemical synchronization of the cell cycle stage of rabbit foetal fibroblasts to G(0)/G(1) phase appeared less effective compared to serum deprivation