Merck
CN
All Photos(1)

Documents

Safety Information

F2442

Sigma-Aldrich

Fetal Bovine Serum

USA origin, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture, suitable for hybridoma

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing

Synonym(s):
Fetal Bovine Sera, Fetal Calf Serum, FBS, FCS, sera, serum
MDL number:
eCl@ss:
32160409
NACRES:
NA.71

biological source

bovine fetus

Quality Level

sterility

sterile-filtered

product line

FBS Classic

composition

Bovine IgG, ≤1 mg/mL
Hemoglobin, ≤20 mg/dL

origin

USA origin

technique(s)

cell culture | hybridoma: suitable
cell culture | mammalian: suitable

impurities

≤10 EU/mL endotoxin

shipped in

dry ice

storage temp.

−20°C

Looking for similar products? Visit Product Comparison Guide

General description

Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is a complex mixture with low and high molecular weight biomolecules exhibiting optimal growth-enhancing and growth-suppressing functions. FBS contains molecules, such as growth factors, proteins, vitamins, trace elements, hormones etc. These molecules are important for the growth and maintenance of cells. It is a common supplement for cell culture media. FBS is derived from the calf blood. It is devoid of fibrin and clotting factors. Heat inactivation of FBS blocks the complement system. FBS derived from clotted blood is the most widely used undefined supplement in eukaryotic, especially mammalian, cell culture. It is typically used with the classical media that were developed in the 1950s and 1960s. These include many popular media such as Minimum Essential Medium (MEM), Dulbecco′s Modified Eagles Media (DME, DMEM); Iscove′s Modified Eagles Medium (IMDM), M199 and Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium, RPMI-1640.

Application

Fetal Bovine Serum has also been used as a component of:
  • perivascular-resident macrophage-like melanocytes (PVM/M) growth medium
  • synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF)
  • Eagle′s minimum essential medium (EMEM)
  • neurobasal medium
  • Hyclone McCoys 5 A medium
  • Hanks medium

Biochem/physiol Actions

FBS remains a popular media supplement because it provides a wide array of functions in cell culture. FBS delivers nutrients, growth and attachment factors and protects cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis by mechanisms that are difficult to reproduce in serum-free media (SFM) systems.

Analysis Note

  • Endotoxin and hemoglobin tested
  • Tested for the presence of bacteria, virus, and mycoplasma
  • Triple filtered with 0.1 micron membrane under aseptic conditions

Other Notes

Tested for the presence of bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, endotoxin and for hemoglobin content. Triple filtered with 0.1 micron membrane under aseptic conditions.

Storage Class Code

10 - Combustible liquids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Regulatory Information

监管及禁止进口产品

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Documents related to the products that you have purchased in the past have been gathered in the Document Library for your convenience.

Visit the Document Library

Difficulty Finding Your Product Or Lot/Batch Number?

Product numbers are combined with Pack Sizes/Quantity when displayed on the website (example: T1503-25G). Please make sure you enter ONLY the product number in the Product Number field (example: T1503).

Example:

T1503
Product Number
-
25G
Pack Size/Quantity

Additional examples:

705578-5MG-PW

PL860-CGA/SHF-1EA

MMYOMAG-74K-13

1000309185

enter as 1.000309185)

Having trouble? Feel free to contact Technical Service for assistance.

Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product's label following the words 'Lot' or 'Batch'.

Aldrich Products

  • For a lot number such as TO09019TO, enter it as 09019TO (without the first two letters 'TO').

  • For a lot number with a filling-code such as 05427ES-021, enter it as 05427ES (without the filling-code '-021').

  • For a lot number with a filling-code such as STBB0728K9, enter it as STBB0728 without the filling-code 'K9'.

Not Finding What You Are Looking For?

In some cases, a COA may not be available online. If your search was unable to find the COA you can request one.

Request COA

  1. What is the level of growth factors in Fetal Bovine Serum, Product F2442?

    Sigma Aldrich does not determine the levels of growth factors (such as TGF beta, VEGF, EGF, PDGF, or FGF) for serum with reduced levels of growth factors and plasma derived serum.

  2. Is Fetal Bovine Serum, Product F2442, available as a charcoal stripped, de-lipidated serum?

    We offer Product No. F6765 (Fetal Bovine Serum, charcoal stripped). The charcoal stripping decreases the levels of hormones; it may also decrease the levels of lipids. If further reduction of lipid levels is required, you may need to treat the serum with fumed silica (e.g. Product No. S5130). Use 20 grams of S5130 per Liter of serum (not plasma). It is mixed for 3-4 hours, then centrifuged in 1 L containers for about 15 minutes at 2000 xg. The supernatant can then be decanted, and filtered if desired. NOTE: Silica is extremely fluffy, and care must be taken not to inhale its dust. Allow for about 15% loss of the serum due to adsorption.

  3. How is Fetal Bovine Serum, Product F2442, cell culture tested?

    Biological performance is assessed using Sigma cell culture medium supplemented with the serum and tested at a final concentration of 10%. Seeding efficiency, doubling time, and final cell density are measured on appropriate cell lines. Growth studies are carried through two subculture generations and cell growth is plotted as a logarithmic function of time in culture. During the testing period, cultures are examined microscopically for atypical morphology and evidence of cytotoxicity. Hybridoma -tested serum has been shown to support mouse myeloma cells and hybridoma cells in culture.

  4. What is the cloning assay performed on Fetal Bovine Serum, Product F2442?

    The cloning efficiency assay is performed on each lot of FBS to verify that each lot will support clonal growth of myeloma cells and/or fusion products. The assay is performed using 5% and 10% concentrations of the FBS.

  5. What is the difference between Fetal Bovine Serum F2442 and 12103C?

    Product No. 12103C meets most of the specifications of F2442.  Both products are from the same raw material suppliers and undergo the same stringent testing prior to release. However, the F2442 has been use-tested in hybridoma culture, whereas 12103C has not.

  6. Which document(s) contains shelf-life or expiration date information for a given product?

    If available for a given product, the recommended re-test date or the expiration date can be found on the Certificate of Analysis.

  7. Are all Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) products heat inactivated?

    Not all Fetal Bovine Serum products are heat inactivated. Product numbers F4135 and 12306C are heat-inactivated FBS.

  8. There is a precipitate in my serum.  Is my serum contaminated?

    Precipitates in serum can often appear as large round bodies, even as doublets per microscopic exam. This can be mistaken as a yeast contamination. Brownian motion may be mistaken for motility. These are lipid aggregates that will be readily dissolved when exposed to lipase. Also, these particles will not gram stain or show any growth in culture on aerobic, anaerobic, or fungal media and culture conditions. The performance of the material is not effected. Centrifugation or filtration of small volumes will remove these particles.

  9. How do I get lot-specific information or a Certificate of Analysis?

    The lot specific COA document can be found by entering the lot number above under the "Documents" section.

  10. How do I find price and availability?

    There are several ways to find pricing and availability for our products. Once you log onto our website, you will find the price and availability displayed on the product detail page. You can contact any of our Customer Sales and Service offices to receive a quote.  USA customers:  1-800-325-3010 or view local office numbers.

  11. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product. 

  12. Does Sigma-Aldrich offer delipidated bovine serum?

    At this time, Sigma-Aldrich does not offer delipidated bovine serum (either FBS or calf serum).A method for lipid depletion, though not necessarily that of Sigma:1. While mixing, gradually add 10 g fumed silica (Product S5130 or Aerosil) per liter of serum2. Mix at room temperature and then transfer to 2-8 °C for overnight mixing.3. After overnight mixing, remove flumed silica (Aerosil) by centrifugation at 3000-5000 rpm for 5 minutes.4. Retain the supernatant. The lipids should stick to the silica. There may be some protein loss

  13. Does Sigma-Aldrich offer fetal bovine serum (FBS) that is antibiotic-free?

    FBS can be tested for the presence of antibiotics. Products F2442, F0926, and F6178, Fetal Bovine Serum are routinely tested for Tetracycline (by far the most commonly used antibiotic in animals) and the results are reported on the lot specific Certificate of Analysis.Per the USDA, Antibiotics may be given to prevent or treat disease in cattle. A "withdrawal" period is required from the time antibiotics are administered until it is legal to slaughter the animal. This is so residues can exit the animal's system. FSIS randomly samples cattle at slaughter and tests for residues. Data from this Monitoring Plan have shown a very low percentage of residue violations.The USDA does random sampling of all cattle submitted for slaughter in USDA inspected facilities for antibiotics. The mandatory withdrawal period is 24 hours. Based on withdrawal periods required by the USDA, animal testing at slaughter and finished product testing, our serum is antibiotic free.

  14. Once a bottle of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is thawed, for how long can the bottle be used?

    Once Fetal Bovine Serum has been thawed, the bottle can be used in cell culture for up to 7 days for most cell types when stored  refrigerated at 2-8°C.  If the cells are not fastidous (e.g. HeLa or fibroblasts), the thawed and refrigerated serum can be used for up to 30 days.  For some extremely fastidious cell lines, it may be necessary to screen individual lots for acceptable performance.  For uses such as blocking for various immuno procedures, usage will generally be for 30 days and perhaps somewhat longer when stored at 2-8°C.  For other procedures, usage beyond 30 days storage at 2-8°C will need to be determined.

  15. My question is not addressed here, how can I contact Technical Service for assistance?

    Ask a Scientist here.

Inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation of protein kinase Cd (PKCd) protects the salivary gland from radiation damage.
Wie SM et al.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 289, 10900-10900 (2014)
Axenic Procyclic Culture of L. tropica and L. donovani in Culture of FBS-free Medium
Mosa FM, et al.
Ife Journal of Science, 4B, 3088-3093 (2015)
MENT, a heterochromatin protein that mediates higher order chromatin folding, is a new serpin family member.
Grigoryev SA et al.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 274, 5626-5626 (1999)
Optimization of chemically defined cell culture media--replacing fetal bovine serum in mammalian in vitro methods.
van der Valk J et al.
Toxicology in vitro, 24, 1053-1053 (2010)
Nicholas R Meyerson et al.
PLoS pathogens, 14(3), e1006906-e1006906 (2018-03-09)
HIV-1 arose as the result of spillover of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) from great apes in Africa, namely from chimpanzees and gorillas. Chimpanzees and gorillas were, themselves, infected with SIV after virus spillover from African monkeys. During spillover events, SIV

Articles

High titer lentiviral particles for LC3 variants used for live cell analysis of cellular autophagy.

Calcium is an ionically stable divalent cation with important beneficial and toxic properties in cell culture. It is a component of a wide range of cell culture media.

Millicell® hanging cell culture inserts for staining and microscopic analysis directly from the insert. Learn to utilize hanging cell culture inserts in barrier measurements.

Review the basics of using fetal bovine (or calf) serum for cell culture and how sourcing and regulations affect the price of sera for cell-based assays.

Protocols

Detailed procedure for how to perform a lentiviral transduction of MISSION shRNA lentiviral particles to achieve a stable long term silencing and phenotypic change.

Protect your investment with best practices for storing and thawing FBS and other sera. Sample FBS for validation in your cell culture protocol.

Related Content

Learn how to effectively filter fetal bovine serum (FBS) using Stericup® Quick Release vacuum filtration devices, including flow test data and analysis.

Step-by-step protocol for generating apical-out human gut organoids for microbiome, ADME/Tox, viral and gastrointestinal related disease research. See the complete organoid culture protocol.

Our broad range of the most trusted tools for cell culture includes stringently sourced and tested FBS, established media formulations, and sterile labware. Cutting-edge techniques using stem cells and 3D matrices are enabled by organoids, hydrogels, culture scaffolds, and bioinks for 3D bioprinting.

Explore our portfolio of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and determine the right FBS for your lab needs and budget. Request a serum sample.

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service