[Studies on the vitality of human bone marrow during collection and deep-freeze preservation]

Abstract

The cryoprotective effect of dimethylsulfoxide, glycerol and polyethylenglycol during freezing and thawing of human bone marrow was investigated by eosin staining test, an acridinorange fluochrome staining test and by RNA- and DNA-synthesis tests. In these tests the overall yield of vital nucleated cells, referred to the number in the absence of cryoprotectants and freezing and thawing, amounted to 50% with dimethylsulfoxide, 30% with glycerol, and 10% with polyethylenglycol. With dimethylsulfoxide and glycerol the loss of vital nucleated cells is almost entirely due to the addition of cryoprotectants. Polyethylenglycol freezing and thawing also leads to a great loss of vital nucleated cells. The results with dimethylsulfoxide show that the currently employed techniques of punction, preparation, freezing and thawing of bone marrow are suitable for clinical application.