A characterization study of a cell line (BS/BEK) from bovine embryo kidney

A cell line (BS/BEK) which was obtained from bovine embryo kidney tissue, when studied at its 140th passage level it showed the following properties: 1. An epithelial-like morphology, possessing a heteroploid karyotype with a modal chromosome number ranging between 70 and 75 chromosomes. 2. It failed to produce tumors in mice and in hamster. 3. It was shown to be ready susceptible to the replication of several viral agents originated from a variety of animal species. 4. It was not contaminated by mycoplasma or other bacterial spp.