Calf Serum, Heat Inactivated

Calf Serum, Heat Inactivated Summary

Why Use Calf Serum?

Bovine calf serum (BCS, Calf Serum) is obtained from healthy, inspected calves 14 days to 12 months of age. Although Bovine Calf Serum has a lower nutritional value than Fetal Bovine Serum or Newborn Bovine Calf Serum, it can be used for a variety of less demanding cell lines.

Serum products should be stored and handled correctly to assure long-term stability and to preserve growth performance consistency throughout its shelf-life. In addition, heat inactivation of serum is frequently desired to inactivate complement within the serum. Below are protocol links for serum storage/handling and heat inactivation.

Protocol for Fetal Bovine Serum Storage, Thawing, and Freezing.
Protocol for Heat Inactivation of Serum Products.

Why Heat Inactivate Serum?

The objective of heat inactivation is to destroy complement activity in the serum without affecting the growth-promoting characteristics of the product. Removal of complement activity from the serum is not required for most cell cultures, but may be necessary for cultures that are sensitive to the complement activity. Since heat inactivation of the serum may, to some extent, decrease the growth performance properties of the serum, this procedure should only be performed if actually required for optimal cell growth. Researchers should evaluate the applicability of heat inactivation in regards to their own application. If heat inactivation is required, the process should be carefully controlled to avoid increased formation of crystalline and flocculent precipitates, gelling of serum proteins and excessive loss of growth performance. Significant damage to serum can occur when it is subjected to higher than required temperatures or heated over extended lengths of time.

Specifications

Limitations

For research use only. Not for diagnostic use.

Product Datasheets