In vitro growth and chromosome constitution of placental cells. I. Spontaneous and elective abortions.

Placental cultures from chromosomally normal spontaneous abortions, as well as placental and fetal cultures from chromosomally normal elective abortions, were established, and the growth and cytogenetic constitution of the cultures were compared. Fetal cultures grew well and remained chromosomally stable over the entire 100-day period of observation. In contrast, placental cultures were relatively short-lived, many becoming senescent and dying within the time of observation. This was particularly marked in cultures established from spontaneous abortions. Five of the 18 cultures established from spontaneous abortions, but only 1 of the 24 cultures from elective abortions, developed chromosomally abnormal clones. The emergence of such clones was unrelated to the senescence of the cultures.