I want to know if I can use FBS instead of horse serum in the DMEM/F12 medium for MCF10A cell lines. I know that the complete growth medium for MCF10A cells consists of DMEM: F-12, 5% (v/v) horse serum, 10 µg/mL human insulin, 20 ng/mL hEGF, 100 ng/mL Cholera toxin, and 0.5 µg/mL Hydrocortisone. Can I simply replace the horse serum with FBS? Thank you!
Hello Nadeen T. Ali
No, you should not replace the horse serum with FBS.
A variety of different serum types are used in cell culture with two of the most common being FBS and horse serum. In addition, to their animal of origin, serums of the same type vary in their formulations and level of purity. Choosing the correct serum type is highly dependent upon the growth characteristics of the cell line being cultured. Different cell lines have different requirements when it comes to serum.
The composition of horse serum is well suited for the culture of MCF10A cell line as it contains factors that are favourable for its growth and lacks unfavourable ingredients that may harm MCF10A cells, which otherwise is present in FBS. For instance, the fatty acid composition in different serum types is likely to change the cellular fatty acid composition, which should be taken into account when you change the serum type used to grow the established cell line like MCF10A.
I have attached an article below for more information.
Article Changes in serum influence the fatty acid composition of eta...
Best.
- Badges
- Science method