Fetal calf serum
Template:Infobox medical resource
Fetal Calf Serum (FCS), also known as Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), is a common supplement used in the cell culture medium. It is derived from the blood of bovine fetuses and is a rich source of growth factors, hormones, and nutrients that support the growth and maintenance of eukaryotic cells in vitro.
Collection and Production[edit | edit source]
Fetal calf serum is collected from bovine fetuses during the slaughtering process of pregnant cows. The blood is drawn from the fetus in a sterile manner to prevent contamination. The blood is then allowed to clot, and the serum is separated from the clot by centrifugation. The serum is filtered to remove any remaining cells and debris, resulting in a clear, straw-colored liquid.
Composition[edit | edit source]
Fetal calf serum contains a complex mixture of proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Key components include:
- Albumin: A major protein that helps maintain osmotic pressure and transport substances.
- Growth factors: Such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which promote cell proliferation and survival.
- Hormones: Including insulin, which regulates glucose metabolism.
- Amino acids: Essential for protein synthesis and cell growth.
- Lipids: Important for membrane structure and function.
- Vitamins and minerals: Necessary for various cellular processes.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Fetal calf serum is widely used in biomedical research and biotechnology. Its applications include:
- Cell culture: FCS is a critical component of the culture medium for growing mammalian cells. It provides essential nutrients and growth factors that support cell proliferation and maintenance.
- Vaccine production: FCS is used in the production of vaccines, where it supports the growth of virus-producing cell lines.
- Biopharmaceuticals: It is used in the production of therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies.
- Tissue engineering: FCS is used in the development of engineered tissues and organs.
Ethical and Safety Considerations[edit | edit source]
The use of fetal calf serum raises ethical concerns due to the method of collection from bovine fetuses. Additionally, there are safety concerns regarding the potential for contamination with bovine viruses or prions. To address these issues, alternatives to FCS, such as serum-free media and synthetic supplements, are being developed.
Alternatives[edit | edit source]
Researchers are exploring alternatives to fetal calf serum to reduce reliance on animal-derived products. These alternatives include:
- Serum-free media: Formulated to provide all necessary nutrients without animal serum.
- Human platelet lysate: Derived from human blood platelets, offering a non-bovine source of growth factors.
- Recombinant proteins: Engineered proteins that can replace specific components of FCS.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Fetal calf serum remains a vital component in cell culture and biotechnology, despite ethical and safety concerns. Ongoing research aims to develop effective alternatives that can replace FCS in various applications.
Classification |
|
---|---|
External resources |
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD