Enhanced Growth of amniotic fluid cells in presence of fibroblast growth factor.

A shorter period of time between amniocentesis and cytogenetic diagnosis is of considerable clinical usefulness. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), a potent mitogen for cells of mesodermal origin, was used to enhance the growth rate of primary cultures of amniotic fluid-derived cells. At the initial harvest and at 5 scored metaphases, culture dishes incubated with FGF showed a 9-day advantage as a group when compared with their untreated, paired controls. In addition, less variability was encountered in the growth time of the FGF-treated dishes; 97% of these treated dishes were harvested initially between 10 and 20 days, while only 48% of the control dishes were harvested initially during this time period. Success was also noted in the recovery of failing cultures. The addition of FGF to the standard enriched medium used in amniotic fluid cell cultures has shortened the processing time and provided a more uniform growth rate in the majority of cultures studied.