Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 August 2014
Monthly chromosomal analyses have been carried out, from December 1971 to November 1972, on 4 male subjects aged 22 to 32. Over a total of 4 710 mitoses examined, the rate of aberrant cells (including gaps) was of 9.1% and there was no difference among individual yearly mean values. The average mitotic index, evaluated on 48 cultures, was of approximately 55‰. Significant differences (P < 0.025) have been found among individual yearly mean values (40-69‰). No seasonal increase of aberrations has been found; however, 12 of the 16 tetraploid cells were found in the winter months. In all subjects, the mitotic index reached its maximum in April-June (P < 0.001). The mitotic index and the percentage of aberrant cells were not shown to be correlated.