IN-VITRO CULTURE OF EMBRYONIC-CELLS FROM THE FRESH-WATER PRAWN MACROBRACHIUM-ROSENBERGII

Studies were carried out to develop cell line cultures from embryonic tissue of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Good yields of dissociated, uncon taminated, viable cell suspensions were obtained by physical disruptio n of harvested eggs in the presence of buffered iodophore disinfectant and malachite green. Primary cultures in the form of proliferating fo ci of cells were readily initiated using a wide range of mammalian and insect cell culture media with osmolality adjusted to 450 mOsmol kg(- 1) H2O and the addition of 20% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum. Pa ssage of primary cultures resulted in the loss of adherence of cells t o the culture vessel surface, cessation of cell multiplication and con sequent failure to establish a cell line.