Animal materials in research<\/h1><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Animal materials in research<\/h1><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Research that is done without laboratory animals, is not automatically 100% animal-free. Just as vegetarian food is not always vegan food. This is because animal materials are often used to keep cells in scientific research alive and growing.<\/strong><\/p>\nTwo commonly used, animal-based materials are FCS and matrigel. On this page you will learn what these materials are, why they are used and how research can be done without them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n- What is fetal calf serum (FCS)?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
- What is matrigel?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
- Why are FCS and matrigel used?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Reasons we should no longer use animal-based materials<\/a><\/li>\n
- Alternatives<\/a><\/li>\n
- What is our opinion?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Stay up to date!<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you are involved in research, why not subscribe to our newsletter for news about animal-free approaches in science and innovation. You will then receive regular updates on events, new projects and proposals for grant funding.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Sign up<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What is fetal calf serum (FCS)?<\/h2>\n
When thinking of a serum, many might think of a skin care product. In medical science however, the word serum is used for the liquid that remains when you coagulate blood (plasma) and then rapidly spin the clot in a centrifuge.<\/p>\n
Fetal calf serum means the serum of a calf fetus, or an unborn calf. Sometimes it is also called fetal bovine serum, which means the serum of a bovine fetus.<\/p>\n
How is fetal calf serum developed?<\/h2>\n
A fetus is an unborn human or animal. Concerning cows, we call the unborn calf a fetus after about one month into the pregnancy (a cow’s pregnancy lasts about nine to ten months).<\/p>\n
To develop fetal calf serum, the blood of living, unborn calves is used. For example: if a dairy cow is slaughtered at the end of her life and is pregnant at the same time, the unborn calf is used to make the serum. In 2002, researchers estimated that for the worldwide production of fetal calf serum, 1 to 2 million unborn calves per year are used for their blood. Since then, demand has increased even more.<\/p>\n
What components does FCS contain?<\/h2>\n
Fetal calf serum contains many substances that are important for cell growth. These substance include: growth factors, sugars, hormones, proteins and vitamins.<\/p>\n
Is it possible to use serums from other animals?<\/h2>\n
Although serums from other animals are known to be used (e.g. from a horse, rabbit, goat or pig), FCS is most popular. This is because it contains the most growth substances and because it can be used for different types of cells. Serums from adult animals can also be used, but they also contain fewer growth substances.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Serum](\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Linkafbeelding-serum-injectienaald-3-400x400-1.jpg\" "\\"Linkafbeelding")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What is matrigel?<\/h2>\n
To grow human cells in vitro, scientists use a special gel that mimics the environment of the human body. This gel is called hydrogel and allows the cells to grow in the most realistic way possible. Within scientific research the standard hydrogel is matrigel, a gel made from the tumors of laboratory mice.<\/p>\n
How is matrigel developed?<\/h2>\n
To develop matrigel, millions of mice are bred and killed on a yearly basis. In the laboratory, tumor cells are injected into the small rodents, causing tumors to grow. These artificial tumors are rich in proteins, which are suitable for a hydrogel. To extract the proteins from the tumors, the mice must be killed.<\/p>\n
What components does matrigel contain?<\/h2>\n
Similar to FCS, matrigel contains substances that are important for cell growth.\u00a0The main components in the gel are the proteins that are also present in the thin fibrous layer called the basal membrane, which is found in most organs. These proteins are called collagen type IV and laminin.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"muis\"](\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/foto-muis-hersenonderzoek-200x200.png\" "\\"foto")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Use of animal-based materials in research<\/h2>\n
Animal-based materials, such as matrigel and FCS, that help cultivate cells are used in scientific studies to keep cells alive and\/or growing in vitro. Without a substance that helps the cells survive, the cells would perish after a few days.<\/p>\n
Both FCS and matrigel are used in many research fields, such as biological research and medical research. Specific examples are the use of FCS in stem cell research and vaccine making and the use of matrigel in drug effect research.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Free of laboratory animals, but not animal-free<\/b><\/h4>\n
Fetal calf serum and matrigel can also be used in research that is free of laboratory animals, in order to keep human cells (donated by a patient, for example) alive and growing. Thus, this makes the research free of lab-animals, but not animal-free.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Reasons to discard animal-based materials<\/h2>\n
Aside from the obvious suffering animals must endure, there are other reasons to question the use of FCS and matrigel.<\/p>\n
\n- Each batch of serum and matrigel is different. After all, there is variation in the animals used, so the ratios are never the same. Thus each batch must be examined and approved. This takes a lot of time, effort and money and undermines the reliability of research results. Regulatory organizations advise against its use for this reason.<\/li>\n
- Because FCS is in high demand, manufacturers sometimes dilute it (against regulations) with adult bovine serum, water and other substances. This can affect the quality of the serum.<\/li>\n
- FCS and matrigel can be infected with viruses, bacteria and fungi, posing a risk both to the experiments and to the health of researchers.<\/li>\n
- With FCS and matrigel, there is limited translatability to humans. Because both culture materials are developed with animal cells.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Kalf\"](\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/foto-muis-hersenonderzoek-1-200x200.png\" "\\"foto")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Alternatives<\/h2>\n
Fortunately, there are now many alternatives.<\/p>\n
\n- Alternatives to fetal calf serum (FCS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Researchers at the Univerisity of Utrecht have created a database<\/a> listing all alternatives to fetal calf serum. One of these alternatives is a fluid in which you can grow cells that is not made from animals, but from artificial material.<\/p>\n
Animal materials in research<\/h1><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Research that is done without laboratory animals, is not automatically 100% animal-free. Just as vegetarian food is not always vegan food. This is because animal materials are often used to keep cells in scientific research alive and growing.<\/strong><\/p>\nTwo commonly used, animal-based materials are FCS and matrigel. On this page you will learn what these materials are, why they are used and how research can be done without them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n- What is fetal calf serum (FCS)?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
- What is matrigel?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
- Why are FCS and matrigel used?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Reasons we should no longer use animal-based materials<\/a><\/li>\n
- Alternatives<\/a><\/li>\n
- What is our opinion?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Stay up to date!<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you are involved in research, why not subscribe to our newsletter for news about animal-free approaches in science and innovation. You will then receive regular updates on events, new projects and proposals for grant funding.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Sign up<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What is fetal calf serum (FCS)?<\/h2>\n
When thinking of a serum, many might think of a skin care product. In medical science however, the word serum is used for the liquid that remains when you coagulate blood (plasma) and then rapidly spin the clot in a centrifuge.<\/p>\n
Fetal calf serum means the serum of a calf fetus, or an unborn calf. Sometimes it is also called fetal bovine serum, which means the serum of a bovine fetus.<\/p>\n
How is fetal calf serum developed?<\/h2>\n
A fetus is an unborn human or animal. Concerning cows, we call the unborn calf a fetus after about one month into the pregnancy (a cow’s pregnancy lasts about nine to ten months).<\/p>\n
To develop fetal calf serum, the blood of living, unborn calves is used. For example: if a dairy cow is slaughtered at the end of her life and is pregnant at the same time, the unborn calf is used to make the serum. In 2002, researchers estimated that for the worldwide production of fetal calf serum, 1 to 2 million unborn calves per year are used for their blood. Since then, demand has increased even more.<\/p>\n
What components does FCS contain?<\/h2>\n
Fetal calf serum contains many substances that are important for cell growth. These substance include: growth factors, sugars, hormones, proteins and vitamins.<\/p>\n
Is it possible to use serums from other animals?<\/h2>\n
Although serums from other animals are known to be used (e.g. from a horse, rabbit, goat or pig), FCS is most popular. This is because it contains the most growth substances and because it can be used for different types of cells. Serums from adult animals can also be used, but they also contain fewer growth substances.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What is matrigel?<\/h2>\n
To grow human cells in vitro, scientists use a special gel that mimics the environment of the human body. This gel is called hydrogel and allows the cells to grow in the most realistic way possible. Within scientific research the standard hydrogel is matrigel, a gel made from the tumors of laboratory mice.<\/p>\n
How is matrigel developed?<\/h2>\n
To develop matrigel, millions of mice are bred and killed on a yearly basis. In the laboratory, tumor cells are injected into the small rodents, causing tumors to grow. These artificial tumors are rich in proteins, which are suitable for a hydrogel. To extract the proteins from the tumors, the mice must be killed.<\/p>\n
What components does matrigel contain?<\/h2>\n
Similar to FCS, matrigel contains substances that are important for cell growth.\u00a0The main components in the gel are the proteins that are also present in the thin fibrous layer called the basal membrane, which is found in most organs. These proteins are called collagen type IV and laminin.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Use of animal-based materials in research<\/h2>\n
Animal-based materials, such as matrigel and FCS, that help cultivate cells are used in scientific studies to keep cells alive and\/or growing in vitro. Without a substance that helps the cells survive, the cells would perish after a few days.<\/p>\n
Both FCS and matrigel are used in many research fields, such as biological research and medical research. Specific examples are the use of FCS in stem cell research and vaccine making and the use of matrigel in drug effect research.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Free of laboratory animals, but not animal-free<\/b><\/h4>\n
Fetal calf serum and matrigel can also be used in research that is free of laboratory animals, in order to keep human cells (donated by a patient, for example) alive and growing. Thus, this makes the research free of lab-animals, but not animal-free.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Reasons to discard animal-based materials<\/h2>\n
Aside from the obvious suffering animals must endure, there are other reasons to question the use of FCS and matrigel.<\/p>\n
\n- Each batch of serum and matrigel is different. After all, there is variation in the animals used, so the ratios are never the same. Thus each batch must be examined and approved. This takes a lot of time, effort and money and undermines the reliability of research results. Regulatory organizations advise against its use for this reason.<\/li>\n
- Because FCS is in high demand, manufacturers sometimes dilute it (against regulations) with adult bovine serum, water and other substances. This can affect the quality of the serum.<\/li>\n
- FCS and matrigel can be infected with viruses, bacteria and fungi, posing a risk both to the experiments and to the health of researchers.<\/li>\n
- With FCS and matrigel, there is limited translatability to humans. Because both culture materials are developed with animal cells.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Alternatives<\/h2>\n
Fortunately, there are now many alternatives.<\/p>\n
\n- Alternatives to fetal calf serum (FCS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Researchers at the Univerisity of Utrecht have created a database<\/a> listing all alternatives to fetal calf serum. One of these alternatives is a fluid in which you can grow cells that is not made from animals, but from artificial material.<\/p>\n
Research that is done without laboratory animals, is not automatically 100% animal-free. Just as vegetarian food is not always vegan food. This is because animal materials are often used to keep cells in scientific research alive and growing.<\/strong><\/p>\n Two commonly used, animal-based materials are FCS and matrigel. On this page you will learn what these materials are, why they are used and how research can be done without them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> Stay up to date!<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are involved in research, why not subscribe to our newsletter for news about animal-free approaches in science and innovation. You will then receive regular updates on events, new projects and proposals for grant funding.<\/p>\n<\/div> When thinking of a serum, many might think of a skin care product. In medical science however, the word serum is used for the liquid that remains when you coagulate blood (plasma) and then rapidly spin the clot in a centrifuge.<\/p>\n Fetal calf serum means the serum of a calf fetus, or an unborn calf. Sometimes it is also called fetal bovine serum, which means the serum of a bovine fetus.<\/p>\n A fetus is an unborn human or animal. Concerning cows, we call the unborn calf a fetus after about one month into the pregnancy (a cow’s pregnancy lasts about nine to ten months).<\/p>\n To develop fetal calf serum, the blood of living, unborn calves is used. For example: if a dairy cow is slaughtered at the end of her life and is pregnant at the same time, the unborn calf is used to make the serum. In 2002, researchers estimated that for the worldwide production of fetal calf serum, 1 to 2 million unborn calves per year are used for their blood. Since then, demand has increased even more.<\/p>\n Fetal calf serum contains many substances that are important for cell growth. These substance include: growth factors, sugars, hormones, proteins and vitamins.<\/p>\n Although serums from other animals are known to be used (e.g. from a horse, rabbit, goat or pig), FCS is most popular. This is because it contains the most growth substances and because it can be used for different types of cells. Serums from adult animals can also be used, but they also contain fewer growth substances.<\/p>\n<\/div> To grow human cells in vitro, scientists use a special gel that mimics the environment of the human body. This gel is called hydrogel and allows the cells to grow in the most realistic way possible. Within scientific research the standard hydrogel is matrigel, a gel made from the tumors of laboratory mice.<\/p>\n To develop matrigel, millions of mice are bred and killed on a yearly basis. In the laboratory, tumor cells are injected into the small rodents, causing tumors to grow. These artificial tumors are rich in proteins, which are suitable for a hydrogel. To extract the proteins from the tumors, the mice must be killed.<\/p>\n Similar to FCS, matrigel contains substances that are important for cell growth.\u00a0The main components in the gel are the proteins that are also present in the thin fibrous layer called the basal membrane, which is found in most organs. These proteins are called collagen type IV and laminin.<\/p>\n<\/div> Animal-based materials, such as matrigel and FCS, that help cultivate cells are used in scientific studies to keep cells alive and\/or growing in vitro. Without a substance that helps the cells survive, the cells would perish after a few days.<\/p>\n Both FCS and matrigel are used in many research fields, such as biological research and medical research. Specific examples are the use of FCS in stem cell research and vaccine making and the use of matrigel in drug effect research.<\/p>\n<\/div> Fetal calf serum and matrigel can also be used in research that is free of laboratory animals, in order to keep human cells (donated by a patient, for example) alive and growing. Thus, this makes the research free of lab-animals, but not animal-free.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Aside from the obvious suffering animals must endure, there are other reasons to question the use of FCS and matrigel.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are now many alternatives.<\/p>\n Researchers at the Univerisity of Utrecht have created a database<\/a> listing all alternatives to fetal calf serum. One of these alternatives is a fluid in which you can grow cells that is not made from animals, but from artificial material.<\/p>\n\n
What is fetal calf serum (FCS)?<\/h2>\n
How is fetal calf serum developed?<\/h2>\n
What components does FCS contain?<\/h2>\n
Is it possible to use serums from other animals?<\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/div><\/div>What is matrigel?<\/h2>\n
How is matrigel developed?<\/h2>\n
What components does matrigel contain?<\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Use of animal-based materials in research<\/h2>\n
Free of laboratory animals, but not animal-free<\/b><\/h4>\n
Reasons to discard animal-based materials<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Alternatives<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Serum](\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Linkafbeelding-serum-well-cells-228x228-1-1.jpg\" "\\"Linkafbeelding")
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