[Preparation and characteristics of diploid cell strains from the tissues of a bovine embryo].

Two strains of diploid cells were prepared from the lung (BEL-2) and skin-muscle (SMBE-3) tissues of a bovine embryo. According to the results of morphological and karyological studies, these cultures consisted of fibroblast-like cells retaining diploid chromosome number (60) in the process of long-term cultivation. These cell populations have a limited life span (75-80 passages) and 3 growth phases. The species appurtenance of BEL-2 and SMBE-3 cells was confirmed. The cells were not contaminated with mycoplasma or extraneous viruses, had no tumorigenic activity. The BEL-2 cell culture is most susceptible to measles virus, SMBE-3 culture to vaccinia virus.