SUPPORTING CELLS IN ISOLATED SENSORY EPITHELIA OF AVIAN UTRICLES PROLIFERATE IN SERUM-FREE CULTURE

SHEETS of sensory epithelia were isolated from the utricles of chicks and cultured in serum-free media and in media that contained serum. Th e proliferation of epithelial supporting cells was assayed using the m itotic tracer bromodeoxyuridine. Similar levels of supporting cell pro liferation were observed in epithelia maintained in serum-free and ser um-containing media. The results suggest that the vestibular epithelia of birds contain whatever mitogens are necessary for the continued pr oliferation of epithelial supporting cells.