Mitogenicity of fetal calf serum

The mitogenic effect of fetal calf serum (FCS) has been studied. Human lymphocytes, especially cord blood cells, undergo blastogenesis in media supplemented with FCS. The mitogenic effect is exerted on non-T (B and null) lymphocytes, but not on T cells. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) successfully substitutes for FCS in mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis. Unlike FCS, it has no mitogenic properties.