What is horse serum used for?

Horse serum is a blood product obtained from horses that is used for various purposes in scientific research and medical applications. It is a rich source of antibodies and other proteins that can be used in diagnostic tests, immunotherapy, and as a growth supplement in cell culture.

In research, horse serum is commonly used in cell culture media to provide essential nutrients and growth factors that support the growth and proliferation of cells. It is also used to supplement media for the production of monoclonal antibodies and other recombinant proteins.

In medical applications, horse serum is sometimes used as an immunosuppressant in patients with autoimmune disorders or inflammatory conditions. It can also be used in the treatment of snake bites, as the antibodies present in the serum can help neutralize the venom.

However, the use of horse serum has decreased in recent years due to concerns about potential contamination with infectious agents and the availability of alternative, more defined cell culture supplements. As a result, many researchers and medical professionals now prefer to use synthetic or recombinant growth factors and serum-free media in their work.