Comparison of the influence of gelatine and collagen substrates on growth of chondrocytes.

The effect of culture substrates on adhesion and growth of chondrocytes and the influence of varying amounts of foetal calf serum on cell proliferation are compared. Skin and cartilage gelatines and type II collagen were used as substrates. The cells used in the experiments were the primary cultures of chondrocytes, frozen primary cultures of chondrocytes and chondrocytes after the 1st subculture. Cartilage gelatine had a more marked influence on cell proliferation than skin gelatine, especially in primary cultures. The differences were off in cells after the 1st subculture. Differences in the number of cells are evident also after decreasing the serum concentration in culture medium.