Comparison of the neutral red and methylene blue assays to study cell growth in culture.

The neutral red and methylene blue in vitro cytotoxicity assays were compared under a variety of conditions using normal human ovarian epithelial cells to determine whether either assay is superior for studying cell growth. The results were standardized against a DNA spectrofluorometric assay. Although the assays were equivalent in reflecting cell number, each has specific advantages: while neutral red discriminates between viable and dead cells, the methylene blue assay is more sensitive and easier to perform.