Comparison of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus growth in media supplemented with fetal bovine serum or a serum replacement

Commercially available serum replacements are often used in cell culture as a cheaper and less variable substitute for fetal bovine serum (FBS). The growth of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolates in CRL11171 cells maintained in a medium supplemented with FBS was compared with virus propagation in the same cell line maintained in the same medium with a serum replacement. The PRRSV replicated significantly better when the cell culture medium was supplemented with FBS. The results of this study have implications for the use of serum replacement-supplemented medium for PRRSV diagnosis by virus isolation.