It has since been used to study secretion of proteins and prostaglandins by endometrium from the cow, ewe, mare, bitch and other species. The technique is also useful for culture of peri-implantation conceptuses and placental tissues for metabolic labelling studies and to obtain conceptus secretory proteins for biological studies. The medium used is called Pig MEM, which is a modified minimum essential medium supplemented with non-essential amino acids, vitamins, insulin and additional glucose. For metabolic labelling studies, specific amino acids are omitted or reduced in concentration to increase incorporation of radiolabel into newly-synthesized protein.
Culture is performed on a rocking platform in oxygen-rich conditions to increase gaseous exchange.
M 7270 from Sigma, St. Louis, MO or cat. Smaller volumes can be prepared as needed. In a large vessel, add 9 l of H 2 0. Adjust pH to 7.1-7.3. Stock solutions of Pig MEM can be stored for at least 6 mo at 4 C. 4.