Effect of Embryo Aggregation on In Vitro Development of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Bovine Clones

Tetraploid embryo aggregation produces high-quality blastocysts with an increased trophectoderm in pigs

Tetraploid complementation is an ideal method for demonstrating the differentiation potential of pluripotent stem cells. In this study, we selected the most efficient tetraploid production method for porcine embryos and investigated whether tetraploid blastomere aggregation could enhance the quality of tetraploid embryos. Three methods were investigated to produce tetraploid embryos: First, tetraploid embryos were produced using electro-fusion of two-cell stage parthenogenetic blastomere (FUTP). Second, somatic cell was injected into the mature oocyte and fused to produce tetraploid embryos. Third, oocytes were matured with Cytochalasin B (CB) for the late 22 h of in vitro maturation to inhibit the first polar body (PB1). Following that, non-PB1 oocytes were treated with CB for 4 h after parthenogenetic activation. There was no significant difference in the blastocyst development rate and tetraploid production rate of the embryos produced through the three methods. However, FUTP-derived blastocysts had a significantly lower percentage of apoptotic cells compared to other methods. The developmental competence of embryos, expression of trophectoderm cell marker genes, and distribution of YAP1 protein were investigated in tetraploid embryos produced using the FUTP method. The FUTP method most effectively prevented apoptosis during porcine tetraploid embryo formation. Tetraploid aggregation-derived blastocysts have a high proportion of trophectoderm with increased expression of the CDX2 mRNA and high YAP1 intensity. High-quality blastocysts derived from a tetraploid embryo aggregation can serve as suitable source material for testing the differentiation potential of pluripotent stem cells for blastocyst complementation in pigs.

An Update on Applications of Cattle Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Simple Summary

Among livestock species, cattle are crucially important for the meat and milk production industry. Cows can be affected by different pathologies, such as mastitis, endometritis and lameness, which can negatively affect either food production or reproductive efficiency. The use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a valuable tool both in the treatment of various medical conditions and in the application of reproductive biotechnologies. This review provides an update on state-of-the-art applications of bovine MSCs to clinical treatments and reproductive biotechnologies.

Abstract

Attention on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) research has increased in the last decade mainly due to the promising results about their plasticity, self-renewal, differentiation potential, immune modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that have made stem cell therapy more clinically attractive. Furthermore, MSCs can be easily isolated and expanded to be used for autologous or allogenic therapy following the administration of either freshly isolated or previously cryopreserved cells. The scientific literature on the use of stromal cells in the treatment of several animal health conditions is currently available. Although MSCs are not as widely used for clinical treatments in cows as for companion and sport animals, they have the potential to be employed to improve productivity in the cattle industry. This review provides an update on state-of-the-art applications of bovine MSCs to clinical treatments and reproductive biotechnologies.