GROWTH-CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN LENS EPITHELIAL-CELLS IN CULTURE - EFFECT OF MEDIA AND DONOR AGE

The effect of different concentrations of fetal calf serum (FCS) on th e proliferative capacity of human and bovine lens epithelial cells in culture was evaluated. The effect of donor age on the maximum number o f passages achieved using thirty eight individual cultures was also st udied. The donor ages ranged from 1-88 years. Fifteen percent FCS was found to be the optimum concentration for both human and bovine cells. The two cell types demonstrated very similar responses across the spe ctrum of concentrations used. Correlation analysis revealed a signific ant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between donor age and maximum numb er of cell passages achieved.