Fetal bovine serum (FBS), also known as fetal calf serum (FCS), is a commonly used cell culture media supplement. It supplies growth factors, hormones, vitamins, and other nutrients that can support the proliferation and viability of cells in culture. The range of these factors provided by FBS enables the culture of a wide variety of cell types that may have uncharacterized culture requirements. Heat inactivation of FBS destroys potentially detrimental complement proteins while retaining the growth-promoting properties of the serum. Specialty grades of FBS are optimized for the culture of particular cell types such as hybridomas, embryonic stem cells, tetracycline-controlled expression systems, and hormone dependent cells for insulin- and estrogen-related research. Manufacturers of FBS control product variability by managing the raw material supply chain, adhering to consistent processing protocols, and rigorous testing to ensure low endotoxin, hemoglobin, and virus load. USDA-approved testing of FBS is important to certify the virus and disease safety of the source before importing animal material into the United States. USDA APHIS certification enables the use of our US origin serum for the manufacture and export of products outside of the USA.
Fetal Bovine Serum - Premium Select, Heat Inactivated
R&D Systems | Catalog # S11550H
Key Product Details
Features
Key Benefits
- Highest-grade FBS from R&D Systems
- Ideal for sensitive or specialized cell lines
- High lot-to-lot consistency
- Lowest in endotoxin and hemoglobin levels
- Extensive biochemical, hormone, and virus testing
- Manufactured from USA-origin or USDA-approved
- Manufactured in our ISO 9001:2015 certified facility
- Formerly sold under the Atlanta Biologicals brand
Species
Applications
Product Summary for Fetal Bovine Serum - Premium Select, Heat Inactivated
All lots of Fetal Bovine Serum – Premium Select are sterility, virus, and performance tested, and include a biochemical profile. In addition, a hormone analysis is performed. Lots are manufactured from USA origin or USDA-approved origin material following stringent manufacturing and quality control procedures. All lots of FBS - Premium Select are manufactured in our ISO 9001:2015 certified facility.
Heat Inactivation - Serum is inactivated by raising the temperature to 56 °C for 30 minutes under controlled conditions. 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.
Protocol for Heat Inactivation of Serum Products.
Protocol for Fetal Bovine Serum Storage, Thawing, and Freezing.
Virus Testing - Fetal Bovine Serum – Premium Select undergoes extended testing for adventitious viruses, including: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus (IBRV), Parainfluenza-3 Virus (PI-3V), Bluetongue Virus (BTV), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV), Bovine Parvovirus (BPV), Bovine Adenovirus, Type 3 (BAV-3), Bovine Adenovirus, Type 5 (BAV-5), Reo virus, and Rabies virus.
Biochemical Testing - R&D Systems FBS undergo biochemical profiling including total protein, albumin, globulin, IgG, total bilirubin, glucose, iron, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium and potassium. View the product insert for a complete list of biochemical profiling components, which may vary between grades.
Chemical Analysis - Each lot of FBS is tested for osmolality, pH, hemoglobin, endotoxin (LAL method) and microbiological contamination (using methods recommended by the U.S. Pharmacopeia).
Product Specifications
Osmolality
Sterility Testing
Cell Culture Testing
Viral Testing
Additional Testing
Endotoxin - ≤ 15.0 EU/mL by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) Assay
Hemoglobin - 15 mg/dL
Hormone Profile - Insulin, Progesterone, Testosterone, Thyroxine (T4)
Formulation, Preparation, and Storage
Purification
Shipping
Storage
Background: Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)
Product Documents for Fetal Bovine Serum - Premium Select, Heat Inactivated
Certificate of Analysis
To download a Certificate of Analysis, please enter a lot or batch number in the search box below.
Note: Certificate of Analysis not available for kit components.
Citations for Fetal Bovine Serum - Premium Select, Heat Inactivated
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Protocols
Find general support by application which include: protocols, troubleshooting, illustrated assays, videos and webinars.
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- Rat Cortical Stem Cell Culture Expansion Protocol
- The Human Colony Forming Cell (CFC) Assay using Methylcellulose-based Media
- The Mouse Colony Forming Cell (CFC) Assay using Methylcellulose-based Media
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- View all Protocols, Troubleshooting, Illustrated assays and Webinars
FAQs for Fetal Bovine Serum - Premium Select, Heat Inactivated
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Q: Should I use heat inactivated fetal bovine serum?
A: Heat inactivation, in general, decreases the growth promoting properties of the serum and causes increased formation of crystalline or flocculent precipitates (salts, proteins, lipids, fibrin, etc.) in the Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) as well as in other serum products. In fact, for many cell culture applications, heat inactivation may be unnecessary. Warming the serum-containing medium to 37˚C prior to use, as is the practice in many cell culture laboratories, is often sufficient to inactivate heat-labile complement factors. Heat inactivated FBS is frequently used in immunological applications.Since every cell type has different growth requirements, the choice of whether to heat inactivate your serum or not must be made by the researcher. If you have concerns about whether to use heat inactivated serum with your cell line or not, perform a side-by-side comparison of cell growth with heat inactivated versus non-heat inactivated serum.
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Q: What is the difference between Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and Fetal Calf Serum (FCS)?
A: There is no difference. These are different names for the same product. Serum derived from blood of bovine fetuses is referred to as Fetal Bovine Serum or Fetal Calf Serum.
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Q: Should I use heat inactivated fetal bovine serum?
A: Heat inactivation, in general, decreases the growth promoting properties of the serum and causes increased formation of crystalline or flocculent precipitates (salts, proteins, lipids, fibrin, etc.) in the Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) as well as in other serum products. In fact, for many cell culture applications, heat inactivation may be unnecessary. Warming the serum-containing medium to 37˚C prior to use, as is the practice in many cell culture laboratories, is often sufficient to inactivate heat-labile complement factors. Heat inactivated FBS is frequently used in immunological applications.Since every cell type has different growth requirements, the choice of whether to heat inactivate your serum or not must be made by the researcher. If you have concerns about whether to use heat inactivated serum with your cell line or not, perform a side-by-side comparison of cell growth with heat inactivated versus non-heat inactivated serum.
-
Q: What is the difference between Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and Fetal Calf Serum (FCS)?
A: There is no difference. These are different names for the same product. Serum derived from blood of bovine fetuses is referred to as Fetal Bovine Serum or Fetal Calf Serum.