Info

Hammond Cell Tech uses only animals raised and slaughtered in the US as a source for our pituitary glands. The glands are obtained from young, vital animals (18 to 22 mo.) whose meat has been certified by the USDA for human consumption. Unlike other sources, Hammond Cell Tech prepares the extract with fresh, unfrozen glands, as in the original prep used in the lab of Dr. Richard Ham, to ensure maximum mitogenicity. For the same reason, Hammond Cell Tech does not lyophilize the extract; lyophilization has been shown to reduce the spectrum of biological activity. Instead, Hammond Cell Tech ships the extract frozen on dry ice. Note that stability tests have shown that aliquots stored at -20oC are stable for a minimum of a year. Over the twenty years Hammond Cell Tech has been providing this extract, our customers have come to depend on the consistency and reliability of our product as well as the technical service we provide. Hammond Cell Tech's product is an aqueous extract formulated at 14 mg/ml crude protein. Growth tests on human mammary, prostatic, bronchial and corneal epithelial cells as well as epidermal keratinocytes and melanocytes indicate an optimal concentration range of 35 mg/ml for clonal growth and 70 mg/ml for dense monolayers (2.5/ L and 5 ml/ L respectively). If an optimized basal medium such as MCDB 170 or MCDB 154 (See reference #4) is used, excellent clonal outgrowth can be achieved with as little as 7 mg/ml. Please note that proper hormone and trace element supplementation is required to ensure the best results. Below you will find original and recent references to aid you in deriving the best system for your use with a more extensive list available on our website. Please note that because this is a complex mixture of factors, different cell types may require unique levels especially when using alternative basal media and supplements. A simple growth assay titrating the BPE in your system is the most effective way to determine the optimal level for your use.