Goat Serum (Normal Goat Serum, NGS) — IHC Blocking Reagent | EU Origin | SeamlessBio
EU Stock0.2 µm sterile filteredNo MOQCoA included
Normal Goat Serum (NGS) is the most widely used blocking serum in immunohistochemistry worldwide. Goat-raised secondary antibodies are the dominant format in research IHC panels — making NGS the default blocking agent for the majority of multiplexed immunofluorescence and IHC protocols.
Secondary antibody manufacturers (Jackson ImmunoResearch, Thermo Fisher, Abcam) explicitly recommend blocking with normal serum from the same species as the secondary antibody. For anti-goat secondary antibodies, NGS is the only correct choice.
Applications of Normal Goat Serum (NGS)
| Application | Standard Protocol | Why NGS? |
|---|---|---|
| IHC / IF Blocking | 5–10% NGS in PBS-T, 30–60 min RT before anti-goat secondary antibody | Saturates non-specific binding sites — essential for low-background staining |
| Multiplex IHC Panels | NGS for panels using multiple goat secondary antibodies | Single blocking step covers all goat secondary detection channels |
| ELISA Plate Blocking | 2–5% NGS | Cost-effective BSA alternative for most ELISA formats |
| Western Blot | 5% NGS in TBST | Neutral blocking buffer compatible with most detection systems |
| Antibody Diluent | 1% NGS in PBS-T | Stabilises antibodies, reduces non-specific adsorption to surfaces |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Species | Goat (Capra hircus) |
| Abbreviation | NGS — Normal Goat Serum |
| Collection | Pooled healthy donors |
| Filtration | 0.2 µm sterile filtered |
| Origin | EU |
| Storage | −20 °C; aliquoting recommended |
| Volumes | 100 mL, 500 mL | Bulk on request |
| Documentation | CoA, CoO on request |
| Options | Heat inactivated on request |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use NGS when my primary antibody is from a goat?
No — never use serum from the same species as your primary antibody for blocking. If your primary is goat-derived, block with horse or donkey serum instead. The rule is: blocking serum species = species of the secondary antibody, not the primary.
What concentration of NGS for IHC blocking?
5% NGS in PBS-T (0.1% Tween-20) for 30–60 minutes at room temperature. For cell culture IF, 2–5% is sufficient. If background persists, increase to 10%.
Is NGS suitable for FFPE tissue section blocking?
Yes — 5–10% NGS is the standard blocking reagent for FFPE sections in clinical pathology and research IHC. Block after antigen retrieval, not before.
Complete Animal Serum Portfolio at SeamlessBio
| Species | Abbr. | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | NRS | IHC/WB/ELISA blocking — anti-rabbit secondary antibodies |
| Goat | NGS | IHC/IF blocking — most common secondary antibody host |
| Sheep | NSS | Blocking, complement CFT, vaccine & vet diagnostics |
| Mouse | NMS | ELISA controls, anti-mouse IHC, primary cell culture |
| Rat | — | Anti-rat IHC blocking, rat primary cell culture |
| Horse | DHS | PC12 differentiation, hybridoma, muscle differentiation |
| Chicken | NCS | CEF cell culture, poultry ELISA controls |
| Pig | NPS | Swine vaccine development, porcine vet diagnostics |
| Guinea Pig | NGPS | CFT complement source — unique diagnostic niche |
Order Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Shop URL | shop.seamlessbio.de/en/products/goat-serum |
| Volumes | 100 mL, 500 mL | Bulk on request |
| Documentation | CoA, CoO on request — free with every order |
| Free test volume | Available before purchase — contact us |
| Batch reservation | Yes — reserve one lot for your entire project |
| info@seamlessbio.de | |
| Phone | +49 851 37932226 |