Gibco™ Fetal Bovine Serum, qualified, Australia

Heating serum inactivates complement. Active complement can participate in cytolytic events, contract smooth muscle, release histamine from mast cells and platelets, and activate lymphocytic and macrophage cells. Applications where heat-inactivated serum is recommended include immunological studies and culturing of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), insect cells, and smooth muscle cells.

It means that the company maintains all auditable history of quality and quantity of materials from the point of collection (including specific animal numbers for donor products), and documentation supporting all stages of processing and transportation or commercial transactions.

The serum is from the same source, collected and processed in the same way. The differences are in the testing performed on the serum and the specifications for release. Certified serum undergoes additional biochemical and hormonal testing. Certified FBS has a lower concentration of endotoxin (5 EU/mL or less) and hemoglobin (15 mg/dL or less).

The main difference is in the Quality Control (QC) test specifications. “Qualified” and “Certified” FBS go through the same QC tests but “Certified” FBS has additional QC tests as well as more stringent QC test specifications for endotoxin and hemoglobin levels. The additional QC tests in “Certified” FBS include biochemical and hormonal profiling.

Serum can be kept at 2-8 degrees C for up to 4 weeks.

Our studies have shown that short-term storage of thawed FBS at 4 degrees C for up to 28 days causes no decrease in growth or viability performance. FBS stored at 4 degrees C for longer periods of time should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis should this storage condition be necessary.

Flocculence may appear in FBS for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is the denaturation of serum lipoproteins. You may observe fibrin, one of the clot-forming proteins present in serum, after the serum has been thawed. This should not affect product performance. To remove the flocculence, transfer the serum to sterile tubes and centrifuge the material briefly at 400 x g. Then filter the resulting supernant along with your media. Do not attempt to filter serum containing flocculence, it may clog filters.

Gibco FBS is not pre-aged. When stored at 2 to 8 degrees C, the possibility exists for various proteins and lipoproteins in serum (e.g., cold agglutinins, fibrinogen, vitronectin, etc.) to aggregate, and form either perceptible material or observed turbidity. This should not affect serum performance. We recommend that you store FBS at -20 degrees C and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Usually the best way to find out is to go to the source you obtained your cells from. For example, ATCC will have serum requirements for the cells they sell. Most insect cell lines and embryonic stem cell lines require heat-inactivated serum.

It is a quality indicator that reflects rapid collection and processing.

It is dialyzed by tangential flow filtration against 0.15 M NaCl using a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane until the glucose level is less than 5 mg/dL. Since this is not exhaustive dialysis, low-molecular weight dialyzable components, such as amino acids may not be totally removed. Exhaustive dialysis is not performed because it can result in precipitation and inactivation of serum peptides.

BVD stands for Bovine Viral Diarrhea. It is one of the most common viral infections in cattle. It is estimated that 70 to 90 percent of the world's cattle population is seropositive for BVD. This virus can cause abnormalities and fetal abortions in cattle. Several strains of BVD exist, some of which are non-pathogenic.

Bovine serum is tested in accordance with 9 CFR, Section 113.53. The BVDV fluorescent antibody test is one of the required tests to meet Title 9 part 113.53 of the Code of Federal Regulations. However, the results of this test are somewhat subjective in the way they are scored. They are scored 0 to +4, based on the level of observed fluorescence. Most samples will have a detectable level of BVDV antigen due to its prevalence in the bovine population. The FA part of the testing can reveal the presence of non-cytopathic BVD strains. The Cytopathogenic and Hemadsorbing Agents testing is used to determine the release of bovine serum, regardless of the BVDV result. We currently report the BVDV results as “Tested”. Any live cytopathic bovine viruses (including the cytopathic BVDV strain) would be revealed in the testing for cytopathogenic agents. In this portion of the testing, the cultures are microscopically monitored for evidence of inclusion bodies, abnormal number of giant cells, or other cytopathology indicative of cell abnormalities. The hemadsorption assay detects the presence of hemagglutinating viruses. The viral hemagglutinin would induce clumping of red blood cells. If a positive result in the cytopathogenic agents or hemadsorbing agents assays is reported, the material would be failed and therefore would not be released by Quality Assurance.

Gibco FBS is available in 50 ml, 500 mL, and 1,000 mL bottles and by special order in 3.5 L and 4 L volumes.

You can incubate the thawed product at a thermostatically controlled temperature of 56 degrees C for 30 minutes. Serum can be heat-inactivated in both our plastic and glass bottles. Warning: Do not attempt to heat-inactivate at a higher temperature for prolonged periods as this may compromise the product's performance through protein denaturation.

The heating process inactivates portions of the complement cascade. Complement occurs in the following events: cytolytic activities, contraction of smooth muscle, release of histamine from mast cells and platelets, enhanced phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and activation of lymphocytic and macrophage cell types.

Gamma irradiation is generally recognized by regulatory agencies as the best method of virus inactivation and for reducing the risk of viruses that are naturally present in animal sera. We offer a small range of gamma-irradiated products ex-stock. Gamma irradiation is also available on request as a custom service for most standard catalog products. We offer a range of fully validated custom processes covering many dose ranges.

Gamma irradiation is recognized as an effective method for inactivating viruses in animal-origin material. Based on USDA regulations for the general requirements for antibody products (9CFR, Section 113.450), the minimum dosage for blood derivatives of animal origin is 25 kGy. Certain European countries require products to be treated prior to importation with a minimum dose of 25 kGy. We will gamma-irradiate serum on request. We have validated a process for utilizing gamma irradiation in the range of 30-45 kGy to inactivate the most common bovine viruses and mycoplasmas that may be present in FBS. The level of inactivation is 6-8 logs for viruses and 6-7 logs for mycoplasmas. We have also demonstrated that physiochemical properties and cell culture performance of serum is not altered by gamma irradiation at levels of 30-45 kGy.

Yes. We offer a wide range of custom options. Please contact techsupport@thermofisher.com to find your Sera Specialists to discuss your application and research needs. We will work with you to supply sera that is specially processed and tested to meet your individual requirements. Some examples of our custom capabilities are heat inactivation, gamma irradiation, and testing for tetracycline residues.

No, there is no need to filter the serum before use. Gibco serum products are manufactured using the most stringent processes, including membrane filtration.

There is no difference in the general use of the terms. Both terms refer to serum from an unborn cow. Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) was once known as Fetal Calf Serum (FCS).

The serum concentration will vary with the cell line and basal medium used. Please go here to see our recommended sera supplementations for tested cell lines (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/cell-culture/mammalian-cell-culture/classical-media/advanced-d-mem-and-mem/recommended-sera-supplementations.html).

Yes. Store animal sera at -5 to -20 degrees C. Store media at 2 to 8 degrees C; use within recommended shelf life period. Store complete media (supplemented) at 2 to 8 degrees C, and for complete medium the recommended shelf life is 2 to 4 weeks. Additionally, minimize exposure of sera and media to light.