[Polyploidisation - a phenomenon of aging? (author's transl)].

By means of cytophotometric determination of DNA in different cellular systems an increase in polyploidisation correlated to age could be demonstrated. The latter is well demonstrable if compensatory hyperplasia or hypertrophy occurs. It is discussed that cellular systems of older individuals can increase their DNA - content, but they are not able to carry out a caryo-and cytocinesis.