How to Use Pregnant Mare Serum Correctly

May 16, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Pregnant mare serum is a common additive used in cell culture media. Before use, thaw the pregnant mare serum slowly to room temperature, avoiding excessive shaking or agitation. Add it to the culture medium first, followed by other cell culture components. Pay attention to sterilization and aseptic techniques to prevent contamination by bacteria and viruses. Proper use of pregnant mare serum can improve the success rate of cell culture and enhance cell growth speed.

Pregnant mare serum is a common additive in cell culture media and is widely used in cell culture, virus propagation, antibody production, and other fields. The details are as follows:

Pregnant mare serum should be stored and transported under frozen conditions below -20°C, avoiding exposure to high temperatures or repeated freezing and thawing, which may compromise its quality and biological activity. Before use, the serum should be slowly thawed to room temperature. Excessive shaking or agitation should be avoided to prevent damage to its quality and activity. When using pregnant mare serum, it should first be added to the culture medium, followed by other cell culture components such as amino acids and vitamins, to avoid affecting the serum's activity and quality. The amount of serum used should be adjusted according to specific cell types and culture conditions; generally, a concentration range of 5% to 20% is recommended. Strict attention must be paid to sterilization and aseptic techniques during use to prevent bacterial or viral contamination, which could negatively impact cell growth and culture quality. After opening, the serum should be promptly resealed and stored properly, minimizing prolonged exposure to air to preserve its quality and activity.

In summary, proper use of pregnant mare serum can enhance the success rate of cell culture and promote cell growth. However, careful attention must be paid to storage, thawing procedures, dosage, sterilization, and aseptic techniques to ensure accurate and reliable experimental results.