Long-term maintenance of primary cell cultures from ovarian tissue of kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus

Abstract

The long-term maintenance of primary cell cultures from ovarian tissue of kuruma prawn Penaeus japonicus was examined in modified Leibovitz-15 medium supplemented with four growth factors (epidermal growth factor, basic-fibroblast growth factor, insulin and ciliary neurotrophic factor) and an antioxidant (2-mercaptoethanol; 2-ME). This medium allowed the primary-cultured cells to survive for a long period up to six months, while only for 45 days in the absence of the five supplements. Efficacy assessment for each supplement revealed that only 2-ME facilitated long-term maintenance of cell sheets. © 2005 The Japanese Society of Fish Pathology.