Cord Blood Serum Can Be Used As an Alternative to Fetal Bovine Serum

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a widely used supplement for growth and expansion of stem cells. However, several ethical and scientific issues are related with its use. It is therefore, important to use alternative supplements to support stem cell growth especially for clinical use. The present study aims to evaluate the suitability of cord blood serum (CBS) as an alternative to FBS. In the current study, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) were isolated from cord tissues by explant culture technique and were propagated in complete culture media supplemented with either CBS (CCM-CBS) or FBS (CCM-FBS). MSCs were characterized by fibroblastic morphology and plastic adherent growth. Different parameters such as cell saturation density, number and time of population doublings, and plating efficiency were used to compare growth kinetics of these cells in two types of culture media. In addition, MSCs were differentiated into osteocytes and adipocytes to evaluate the effect of serum on differentiation potential. MSCs cultured in both types of media i.e. CCM-CBS and CCM-FBS showed comparable morphology and plastic adherent properties. However, cells cultured in CCM-CBS showed better growth in cultures as indicated by high number of population doublings, CFUs and saturation density time. Cells cultured in CCM-CBS and CCM-FBS were successfully differentiated into adipopogenic and osteogenic potential. Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that stem cell culture medium can be supplemented with CBS as an alternative to FBS.