第一次对人类细胞染色体计数,是温韦特(Winwerter)于1912年进行的。他通过对人精原细胞有丝分裂中期的观察,认为男性有46条常染色体和1条X染色体,即男性2n=47,女性则有二条X染色体,即女性2n=48。1921年和1923年,美国佩英特(Painter)教授对人体细胞的染色体数作了重要研究,使用的材料也是睾丸细胞。他观察到小型Y染色体,正确地认为XY是性别决定的机制。他对精原细胞有丝分裂中的计数位于45到48之间。他的第一篇论文似乎赞成2n=46,但在1923年的论文中他又决定改为48。在此后的30年间,Painter的2n=48这一结论一直为许多有声望的细胞学家所沿用,并作为定论编入百科 The first human chromosome count was performed by Winwerter in 1912. Through the observation of metaphase of human spermatogonia, he thought there were 46 autosomal chromosomes and 1 X chromosome in men, ie 2n = 47 for men and 2 X chromosomes for women, ie 2n = 48 for women. In 1921 and 1923, Professor Painter of the United States made an important study on the chromosome number of human cells, and the materials used are also testicular cells. He observed small Y chromosomes, correctly arguing that XY is a mechanism of sex determination. His mitosis in spermatogonia counts between 45 and 48. His first essay seemed to favor 2n = 46, but in the 1923 essay he decided to change to 48 again. In the next 30 years, Painter’s 2n = 48 conclusion has been followed by many reputable cytologists and incorporated into the encyclopaedia of the conclusion