Cytofluorimetric measurement of DNA content in the cells of the transplantable melanotic and amelanotic Bomirski melanoma in golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Waterhouse).

Cytofluorimetric measurements of the DNA content in transplantable melanotic and amelanotic tumor cells were carried out. The mean content DNA is higher in the amelanotic cells. The DNA distribution patterns are different in both tumors: there is a distinct stem line of the cells in the melanotic tumors whereas in the amelanotic cells there is a great variability in the DNA content and the stem line of the cells is absent. The correlation between these findings and some biological properties of the melanotic and amelanotic tumors are discussed.