Cell cycle analysis using bromodeoxyuridine: Comparison of methods for analysis of total cell transit time

Results are presented supporting the study of cellular proliferation utilizing 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation followed by sister chromatid differential staining. In order to determine the relative accuracy of this method in estimating total cell transit time (T c), we utilized a thermosensitive rat embryonic cell line to compare measurement of T c based on the percent differentially labeled (PDLM) technique, with cell cycle measurements using [ 3H]-thymidine ([ 3H]-TdR) incorporation and the percent labeled mitoses (PLM) technique. Results of PLM and PDLM analysis were shown to be highly concordant, indicating the utility of the BrdU method for analysis of T c. Results are presented suggesting the general application of the PDLM method for estimations of T c in cultures of human tumors.