serum
(sēr'ŭm)
(sēr'ă)
Plural: sera
[L. serum, whey]
- A pale, watery fluid, esp. the fluid that moistens the surfaces of serous membranes.
- The watery portion of the blood after coagulation. It is the fluid found when clotted blood is left stand ing long enough for the clot to shrink.
- Serum obtained from blood that contains antibodies against a specific microorganism. It is used to provide immediate passive immunity.SYN: immune globulin.
ABBR: ALS
An antibody-containing serum used to reduce rejection of transplanted organs and tissues. Its immunosuppressive effects are directed against B and T lymphocytes. SYN: antilymphocyte globulin.convalescent s.Serum from a person recovering from an infection that began 3 to 6 weeks previously. It may contain antibodies against the infection and provide passive immunity to it if given to newly infected people.
foreign s.Serum taken from one species and administered to another.
grouping s.A serum used for determining the blood group to which unknown cells belong. The grouping serums commonly used are human serums from donors and rabbit antiserums prepared commercially.
polyvalent s.Serum containing antibodies to several antigens.
pooled s.Serum collected from several donors.
pregnancy s.Serum collected from pregnant women.
pregnant mare's s.Serum derived from the blood of pregnant mares. It is a source of hormones, esp. gonadotropins.