NUCLEAR DNA‐CONTENT OF PARATHYROID CELLS IN ADENOMAS, HYPERPLASTIC AND NORMAL GLANDS

Nuclear DNA-content in parathyroid cell imprints from adenomas, hyperplastic and normal glands was determined. Two principally different staining procedures were applied: pararoseaniline-Feulgen and ethidium-bromide staining. All nuclei, particularly with the ethidium-bromide method were registered as containing even multiples of the normal human diploid DNA-content. Normal and hyperplastic glands showed ≥98 per cent diploid nuclei, the remaining fraction was tetraploid. In adenomas the frequency of diploid nuclei varied from 50–98 per cent; the remaining were predominantly tetraploid, but octaploid and higher even ploidity also occurred. A good correlation was found between nuclear DNA-content and nuclear diameter. The findings indicate that determination of nuclear DNA-content of parathyroid cells may be a valuable contribution in the differentiation between hyperplasia and adenoma.