Cell Culture: Why FBS fetal bovine serum?

[molecule2005]

Good day. I am wondering why we use FBS fetal bovine serum in cell culture?

why not something else? also what is so important for the cells.

[j.wells]

Cows are big even fetuses....and yummy yummy growth factors.

[konfolut]

Does anybody know the answer? I also use FBS and I dont know really why. The same, I cant find full list of ingredients of RPMI 1640 which I use too.

[Archonster]

RPMI 1640 formulation could be found in invitrogen web site.
FBS supply many many growth factor to cell growth...

[Winter]

Also, it has alpha 1-antitrypsin, useful during trypsinization.

[wejk1]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

[wangleicau]

Hello molecule2005,

Regarding your question about FBS, in our lab, we use FBS but not BS (bovine serum) when:

(1) If we want to investigate the immune system or reaction in vitro by using cells, such as to detect the change of level of cytokines or T, B cells system in response to some treatments, we use FBS. Because BS has a lot of factors that can influence our treatments. And as far as I know, we get the FBS before the new born cattle get milk for their moms which is a major way for new born babies to get antibodies.
Of course you can also heat the BS to degrade those potential factors.

(2) When we culture some sensitive cells, such as BT474, BT20, MDA-MB-231, MCF7 which needs much more nourishment, we use FBS but not BS, because the former is much more nutritous than the latter.

Hope those can help you a little bit.

Lei

[SSI-FBS]

Fetal Bovine Serum has many growth factors, proteins, and enzymes that make it work very well for promoting cell growth and health. The immune system of the fetal bovine is not mature and contains fewer molecules that could interfere or inhibit the growth of cells. Other Animal Sera will also work well but will not perform at the same level as FBS.