Animal cell culture media is the most significant and critical component for proper in vitro maintenance and proliferation of animal cells. The selection of an appropriate growth medium depends on the kind of cells to be cultured and specific requirements such as growth, differentiation, and production of desired products. A typical culture medium helps to maintain the pH and osmolality essential for cell survival.

Media can be categorised into two major categories: natural media and artificial or synthetic media. Natural media consists of naturally occurring biological fluids such as plasma, serum, and tissue extract. It is suitable for the culture of a wide range of animal cells.

Artificial or synthetic media is made up of various nutrients including vitamins, amino acids, glucose, inorganic salts, serum, hormones, carbohydrates, cofactors, O₂ and CO₂. This media can be modified according to the specific purpose of the culture.

Artificial media is further divided into four categories: serum containing media, serum free media, chemically defined media, and protein-free media. Media supplements such as hormones, growth factors, and serum can be added to the basal medium to enhance cell growth.

The appropriate selection of culture media is essential for optimal growth of animal cells, which also require suitable temperature and pH for successful in vitro culture.