Lamb Serum (Normal Lamb Serum, NLS) — IHC Blocking & Ovine Vaccine Research | EU Origin | SeamlessBio
EU Stock0.2 µm sterile filteredNo MOQCoA included
Normal Lamb Serum (NLS) is serum from sheep in early life — typically up to 6–12 months of age. Compared to adult sheep serum (NSS), lamb serum has lower IgG levels and may contain residual maternal antibodies, making it specifically relevant for vaccine development and ovine neonatal immunology applications where age-matched reference serum is required.
As a blocking reagent, lamb serum is functionally identical to sheep serum (NSS) and is used in the same IHC and ELISA protocols. As a defined reference material for lamb models — neonatal immunology, colostrum immunity, vaccine efficacy studies in juvenile animals — it is the only correct reference material.
Applications of Normal Lamb Serum (NLS)
| Application | Protocol | Why NLS? |
|---|---|---|
| IHC / IFA Blocking | 5–10% NLS in PBS-T, 30–60 min RT before anti-sheep secondary antibodies | Functionally identical to NSS for blocking — species-matched blocking |
| Ovine neonatal immunology | NLS from defined age groups as reference serum | Colostrum immunity, maternal antibody transfer, passive immunisation studies in sheep |
| Vaccine efficacy in juvenile animals | NLS as pre-/post-vaccination comparison matrix | Age-specific immune responses in neonates vs adults require age-matched serum for valid baseline |
| Parasitology lamb model | NLS as matrix and culture control | Haemonchus contortus, Fasciola — lambs are primary infection model for periparturient immunosuppression |
| Complement Fixation Test (CFT) | Native NLS (not heat inactivated) as complement source | Ovine complement for CFT — lamb serum has similar complement activity to adult NSS |
Lamb Serum vs Sheep Serum (NSS) — when to use which?
| Application | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| IHC/ELISA blocking (general) | NSS (adult sheep serum) preferred | Higher IgG level, more consistent lots, lower cost |
| Ovine neonatal immunology studies | NLS from defined age group | Age-specific antibody content critical for valid reference |
| Vaccine efficacy in lambs | NLS (age-matched) | Pre-vaccination baseline must match test age |
| Parasitology models with lambs | NLS | Lambs are the primary host model — serum must match model |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Species | Sheep (Ovis aries), juvenile (lamb, up to 12 months) |
| Abbreviation | NLS — Normal Lamb Serum |
| Collection | Pooled healthy lambs, sterile bleed |
| 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 | Age-defined pools on request |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between lamb serum and adult sheep serum?
Lamb serum comes from juvenile sheep (up to 12 months) and contains lower IgG levels than adult sheep serum. It may contain residual maternal antibodies (within the first 6–8 weeks post-birth, passively transferred via colostrum). For standard IHC blocking, both are functionally equivalent. For age-dependent immunology studies, donor animal age is a critical parameter.
Is lamb serum suitable for complement fixation tests (CFT)?
Yes — native lamb serum has active ovine complement similar to adult sheep serum. For CFT, always use native (NOT heat inactivated) NLS.
Can I use lamb serum instead of sheep serum for general IHC blocking?
Yes — for standard IHC and ELISA blocking applications, NLS and NSS are functionally interchangeable. Adult sheep serum (NSS) is generally preferred for cost and lot consistency reasons in high-volume blocking applications.
Complete Animal Serum Portfolio at SeamlessBio
All animal sera from one EU source — consistent documentation, no minimum order.
| 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 / Lamb | 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 |
| Donkey | NDS | Multiplex IHC blocking — anti-goat & anti-rabbit combined |
| Lamb | NLS | Blocking, complement studies, ovine vaccine research |
| Hamster | NHS | BHK-21 cell culture, virus production, hamster ELISA controls |
Order Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Shop URL | shop.seamlessbio.de/en/products/lamb-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 |