Fetal calf serum vs Plasma-derived serum (from bovine) - (May/10/2012 )

Hello all,

What is the difference between FCS and PDS? From the name, both are serum (blood serum is blood plasma without fibrinogen or the other clotting factors). FCS is made from calf fetal and PDS from calf/cattle. Instead of naming the serum PDS, they should name it adult calf serum, because all serum derive from plasma since serum must be derived from plasma by centrifugation.

The difference is that the FBS/FCS is taken from an unborn calf, and contains lots of fetal growth factors that are cells can use to allow them to grow. Other bovine serums do not contain these components and are less likely to allow your cells to grow well.