Let’s Dive into Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined
The Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined from Cytiva (formerly HyClone) is a specialized product designed for laboratory use, specifically in cell culture and antibody production. This equine serum promises a consistent and reliable source of growth factors and nutrients crucial for these applications, offering a defined alternative to standard serum products. Its affordability relative to the quality also makes it an attractive option for researchers and manufacturers looking to optimize their budgets without sacrificing the integrity of their work.
My work in developing novel bio-inks for 3D printing tissue scaffolds hit a wall; inconsistent batches of fetal bovine serum were leading to unpredictable cell behavior and compromised results. I needed a serum that offered greater consistency and defined characteristics to reduce variability in my experiments. The promise of a defined equine serum led me to try this product.
Upon arrival, the serum was carefully packaged in a PETG plastic bottle, indicative of Cytiva’s commitment to product integrity. The serum itself was a clear, straw-colored liquid, free of particulate matter, further solidifying my first impression of high quality. My initial thought was the volume (100mL) might be limiting for large-scale studies, but I prioritized testing the product’s impact on cell behavior first.
Compared to fetal bovine serum (FBS) and other commercially available serum replacements, the Hyclone Equine Serum stood out due to its “defined” nature. While FBS offers a broad spectrum of undefined growth factors, this equine serum is characterized to meet specific endotoxin and hemoglobin standards, which can be a game changer for controlled experimental conditions. Other serum replacements I considered, such as synthetic serum substitutes, were significantly more expensive, making the Hyclone product a more attractive option.
My initial excitement was cautiously optimistic. The promise of a defined serum to minimize variability was appealing, but I needed to confirm its efficacy in my cell culture system before fully committing. It’s potential impact on the reproducibility of my bio-ink experiments had me eager to get started.
Real-World Testing: Putting Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Hyclone Equine Serum in a controlled cell culture experiment, comparing its performance to my standard FBS protocol with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The cells were cultured in a humidified incubator at 37°C with 5% CO2, mirroring standard cell culture conditions. I carefully documented cell proliferation rates, morphology, and differentiation markers over a two-week period.
The serum performed well under these controlled conditions. No adverse effects were observed and initial growth rates were comparable to FBS.
Ease of use was a definite plus. The serum was ready to use upon thawing, and no additional optimization steps were required for my established cell culture protocol. The clear product information and the readily available biochemical profile made adoption straightforward.
There were no immediate issues with the initial use. The cells adapted well to the new serum formulation, and there were no signs of toxicity or stress observed under microscopic examination. Its comparable growth rates to FBS was an unexpected and welcome surprise.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of continuous use, the Hyclone Equine Serum has proven to be remarkably reliable. The batch-to-batch consistency in cell growth and differentiation has been significantly better compared to FBS.
The serum has shown no signs of degradation and maintains its performance even after multiple freeze-thaw cycles (although, per best practice, I aliquot the serum to avoid repeated thawing of the entire stock). Cells cultured in the Hyclone serum displayed healthy morphology and maintained their desired characteristics throughout the culture period. Maintaining cell lineage and morphology is of vital importance to a high-quality bio-ink.
Maintenance is virtually non-existent. As with any serum product, proper sterile technique during handling is essential to prevent contamination. The PETG bottle has also proven to be robust and easy to handle in the biosafety cabinet.
Compared to my previous experiences with FBS, the Hyclone Equine Serum has exceeded my expectations in terms of consistency and reliability. While FBS offered a broader spectrum of growth factors, the defined nature of the equine serum has been crucial in minimizing variability and improving the reproducibility of my experiments. The Hyclone serum has emerged as the superior choice.
Breaking Down the Features of Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined
Specifications
Volume: 100 mL. This volume is suitable for smaller-scale experiments and initial testing.
HyClone No.: SH30074.02. This identifier ensures product traceability and consistency.
Unit: Each (100 ML). Indicates the standard packaging unit.
Endotoxin Level: <=10 EU/mL. Low endotoxin levels are crucial for cell culture to minimize inflammatory responses and ensure cell viability.
Hemoglobin Level: <=10mg/dL. Low hemoglobin levels reduce potential toxicity and interference with cell metabolism.
Filtration: Filtered through triple 100nm pore-size rated filtration system. This stringent filtration process ensures sterility and removes potential contaminants.
Collection Source: Selected donor horses. This selection process contributes to the consistent quality and composition of the serum.
Application: Supports hybridoma and antibody production. The serum is specifically formulated to enhance cell growth and productivity in these applications.
These specifications are vital because they define the quality and consistency of the serum, which directly impacts the reliability of experimental results. The low endotoxin and hemoglobin levels, coupled with the stringent filtration process, contribute to a safer and more controlled cell culture environment. All of these specifications are vital to my use case.
Performance & Functionality
The Hyclone Equine Serum performs exceptionally well in supporting cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation in my bio-ink experiments. Cell viability remains consistently high, and the cells maintain their desired phenotype throughout the culture period.
The serum’s strength lies in its consistency and defined characteristics, which minimizes variability and improves the reproducibility of experimental results. A weakness might be that equine serum may not be universally suitable for all cell types, and optimization might be necessary for certain applications.
The Hyclone Equine Serum has exceeded my expectations in terms of reliability and consistency. Its defined nature has been invaluable in controlling experimental variables and generating robust data for my bio-ink research. The promise of a defined characteristic serum has been kept.
Design & Ergonomics
The serum is packaged in a PETG plastic bottle, which is lightweight, shatter-resistant, and easy to handle in the biosafety cabinet. The bottle’s design is functional and practical for laboratory use.
The serum itself is ready to use upon thawing, requiring no additional preparation steps. There is virtually no learning curve associated with its use, making it easy to integrate into existing cell culture protocols. Ready to use items are essential in maintaining efficient use of lab time.
Durability & Maintenance
With proper storage at -20°C or -80°C, the Hyclone Equine Serum has a long shelf life and maintains its performance even after multiple freeze-thaw cycles (when aliquoted). The product information provided by Cytiva includes clear storage and handling guidelines.
Maintenance is minimal. Adhering to sterile technique during handling is crucial to prevent contamination. Aliquoting the serum into smaller volumes prevents repeated thawing of the entire stock, preserving its quality and extending its lifespan. Preventative maintenance is always the best form of maintenance.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Hyclone Equine Serum does not come with specific accessories, as it is a ready-to-use cell culture reagent. However, it is compatible with a wide range of cell culture media, supplements, and growth factors from various brands.
The serum can be customized by supplementing it with specific growth factors or cytokines to tailor it to specific cell types or experimental needs. Its broad compatibility with other cell culture reagents makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications. The ability to combine this serum with other mediums allows it to be effective in a broad range of applications.
Pros and Cons of Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined
Pros
- Defined characteristics: Low endotoxin and hemoglobin levels ensure consistent and reliable performance.
- High-quality filtration: Triple 100nm pore-size filtration ensures sterility and removes potential contaminants.
- Supports hybridoma and antibody production: Specifically formulated to enhance cell growth and productivity in these applications.
- Ready to use: Requires no additional preparation steps, saving time and effort.
- Compatible with a wide range of cell culture reagents: Offers versatility and customization options.
Cons
- May not be universally suitable for all cell types; optimization may be necessary for certain applications.
- The 100mL volume may be limiting for large-scale experiments.
Who Should Buy Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined?
Perfect for researchers and manufacturers involved in cell culture, hybridoma development, and antibody production who require a consistent and reliable serum source.
Ideal for those working with cell types that respond well to equine serum, or who are looking for an alternative to FBS.
Those who require undefined sera with growth factors may need to explore other options.
Those working with very large-scale cell culture applications may want to explore alternative products.
Must-have modifications include aliquoting the serum into smaller volumes upon thawing to prevent repeated freeze-thaw cycles and preserve its quality.
Conclusion on Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined
The Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined is an excellent choice for researchers and manufacturers seeking a consistent, reliable, and affordable serum source for cell culture and antibody production. Its defined characteristics, high-quality filtration, and broad compatibility make it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications.
At $41.99, the price is justified by the serum’s quality, consistency, and its potential to minimize variability and improve the reproducibility of experimental results. The cost savings compared to synthetic serum substitutes make it an even more attractive option.
I wholeheartedly recommend the Hyclone Equine Serum to anyone looking for a dependable and well-defined serum product for cell culture applications. Give the Hyclone Animal Sera, HyClone SH30074.02 Equine Serum, Defined a try – you won’t be disappointed!