Chick-comb fibroblasts. A new strain of cultured cells sensitive to androgens.

An androgen-responsive cell strain of chick-comb fibroblasts has been established in culture. Cells were obtained from combs of 1--2 day old white Leghorn cockerels and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and 6 g/l glucose. The cells required serum but not androgens for growth. In the presence of androgens, growth rate and incorporation of labeled precursors into protein and RNA were markedly increased in exponentially growing cells, but not in confluent cultures. Androgens exerted these stimulatory effects in a dose-dependent fashion. It is concluded that chick-comb fibroblasts, which respond to androgens in vivo, retain this responsiveness when cultured. They furnish a well-defined system of potential value for studies of the molecular mechanisms of androgen action.