Biochemical characterization of calf sera used for the growth of cell cultures used in virology

Abstract

Eight lots of the calf sera employed to supplement culture media for the cultivation of animal cells, of widespread use in virology obtained from calves above and below six months of age were rated as good or as poor cell growth promoters according to their growth promoting capacity (GPC). Parameters related to macronutrients contained in these serum lots were then evaluated with the purpose of establishing their biochemical profiles. The results obtained can be considered as normal values for apparently healthy animal donors. Fluctuations found between the data of this investigation and those mentioned in the literature for certain biochemical parameters are probably due to the methodology employed, the breed and age of the animals, or even to regional diet. Student's "t" test was applied for the statistical analysis of the results and demonstrated that, as far as serum fractions were concerned, no significant differences occurred between sera rated as good and poor cell growth promoters, taking t c= 2.45. For calf sera from animals above and below six months of age, two tests relating to alfa and beta fractions were significant (t=2.68 and 2.61 respectively). It was demonstrated that the evaluation of the biochemical parameters mentioned "per se" neither leads to the identification of calf sera presentig good or poor GPC, nor of sera harvested from calves younger or older than six months.