ABSTRACT
A serum-free medium [SFM] was evaluated for the growth of bovine turbinate [BT] cells used for the production of Sarcocystis falcatula merozoites. Serum free cultures used to propagate S. falcatula were compared to cultures maintained in media supplemented with fetal calf serum [FCS] or horse serum [HS]. Serum free cultures were more effective and very promising than the others in supporting the proliferation of S. falcatula merozoites. However, the serum free cultures were unable to adequately support BT cell proliferation compared to the serum-supplemented cultures. No significant differences were seen between cultures supplemented with HS or FCS used for the production of S. falcatula merozoites or BT cells. The rate of BT cell proliferation in response to SFM and different media supplements was assessed in a 96-well plate format using methylene blue staining assay. This technique was superior to manual counting method and allowed quick and accurate quantitative comparison between the response of proliferating BT cells to different growth conditions