title: Basal serum-free culture system which supports growth of fetal rat adrenal cells in primary monolayer cell culture.
abstract: A serum-free culture system has been developed which allows primary cultures of fetal rat adrenal cells to divide in response to insulin 10 micrograms/l, yet retain their ability to respond to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by increased corticosterone production. The essential components of this culture system are: (1) a high initial plating number of 125-130 x 10(3) cells/cm2; (2) a low oxygen concentration of 2.5% O2; (3) an initial plating period of 48 h in greater than or equal to 5% (v/v) fetal bovine serum. In contrast to reported requirements for the serum-free growth of adult adrenal cells, the fetal adrenal cells do not require the provision of any special matrix or a competence factor for serum-free growth or steroidogenic activity. This suggests that they are capable of rapidly generating their own matrix and competence factor in primary culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Western Ontario, London.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Van Dijk
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Challis
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tanswell
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005353:Fibronectins; D007328:Insulin; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors