Essential features of in vitro fish cell culture: an overview

Abstract

The reports of fish cell cultivation date back to the early 20th century, and since then, it has become a tool of great importance for different areas of ichthyology, such as immunology, toxicology, and biotechnology. The cell cultivation methodology can vary according to the species and cell type, requiring knowledge of the specificities and characteristics of the target cell for them to be efficiently cultured. In this review, we address the main characteristics of the in vitro culture of fish cells, presenting their purposes, uses, main parameters, and different characteristics necessary for the culture environment. Finally, we present the experiences in Brazil using cell culture techniques.