Sex and media: Considerations for cell culture studies

Abstract

Cell culture has enhanced our understanding of cellular physiology and constitutes an important tool in advancing mechanistic insight. Researchers should be reminded, however, that there are limitations in extrapolating data derived from cultured cells to questions focusing on the impact of sex. In this Opinion, we highlight two underappreciated aspects of cell culture systems regarding sex: how cell culture media alters the sex hormone environment, and how the innate sex of the cell is often not factored into the overall analysis. By paying careful attention to these areas, researchers can facilitate reproducibility of their cell culture models, which is consistent with the mandate from the National Institutes of Health to improve scientific rigor and reproducibility in research.