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Stem cells and cloning : advances and applications2018; 11; 13-22; doi: 10.2147/SCCAA.S151763

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as nuclear donors improve viability and health of cloned horses.

Abstract: Cell plasticity is crucial in cloning to allow an efficient nuclear reprogramming and healthy offspring. Hence, cells with high plasticity, such as multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), may be a promising alternative for horse cloning. In this study, we evaluated the use of bone marrow-MSCs (BM-MSCs) as nuclear donors in horse cloning, and we compared the in vitro and in vivo embryo development with respect to fibroblasts. Methods: Zona-free nuclear transfer was performed using BM-MSCs (MSC group, n=3432) or adult fibroblasts (AF group, n=4527). Embryos produced by artificial insemination (AI) recovered by uterine flushing and transferred to recipient mares were used as controls (AI group). Results: Blastocyst development was higher in the MSC group than in the AF group (18.1% vs 10.9%, respectively; p<0.05). However, pregnancy rates and delivery rates were similar in both cloning groups, although they were lower than in the AI group (pregnancy rates: 17.7% [41/232] for MSC, 12.5% [37/297] for AF and 80.7% [71/88] for AI; delivery rates: 56.8% [21/37], 41.5% [17/41] and 90.1% [64/71], respectively). Remarkably, the gestation length of the AF group was significantly longer than the control (361.7±10.9 vs 333.9±8.7 days), in contrast to the MSC group (340.6±8.89 days). Of the total deliveries, 95.2% (20/21) of the MSC-foals were viable, compared to 52.9% (9/17) of the AF-foals (p<0.05). In addition, the AF-foals had more physiological abnormalities at birth than the MSC-foals; 90.5% (19/21) of the MSC-delivered foals were completely normal and healthy, compared to 35.3% (6/17) in the AF group. The abnormalities included flexural or angular limb deformities, umbilical cord enlargement, placental alterations and signs of syndrome of neonatal maladjustment, which were treated in most cases. Conclusions: In summary, we obtained 29 viable cloned foals and found that MSCs are suitable donor cells in horse cloning. Even more, these cells could be more efficiently reprogrammed compared to fibroblasts.
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Publication Date: 2018-02-14 PubMed ID: 29497320PubMed Central: PMC5818860DOI: 10.2147/SCCAA.S151763Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research aims to identify if bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be used as nuclear donors for horse cloning to improve the overall health and viability of cloned horses, as compared to the conventional method of using adult fibroblasts.

Research Methodology

  • The study conducted zona-free nuclear transfer with bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (grouped as MSC) and adult fibroblasts (grouped as AF).
  • A total of 3432 embryos were created using MSC and 4527 with AF.
  • The embryos created via artificial insemination and transferred to recipient mares served as the control group (grouped as AI).

Key Findings

  • The rate of blastocyst development (an early stage in embryo development) was significantly higher in the MSC group compared to the AF group.
  • While the rate of pregnancies and successful deliveries were more or less similar in MSC and AF groups, these rates were significantly lower compared to the AI group. Hence, the natural process of conception resulted in high success rates.
  • The gestational period for the AF group was significantly longer than both the control and the MSC group.
  • Among the deliveries, 95.2% of the cloned foals from the MSC group were viable compared to only 52.9% from the AF group. Health abnormalities such as limb deformities, umbilical cord enlargement, placental alterations and signs of neonatal maladjustment syndrome were more frequently observed in the AF group.

Conclusion

  • The experiments resulted in 29 viable cloned foals and demonstrated the suitability of MSCs as nuclear donor cells for horse cloning.
  • Given MSC’s higher plasticity, these cells can be reprogrammed more efficiently than fibroblasts.

Overall, the study clearly suggests that the use of MSCs can considerably improve the health and viability of cloned horses. These findings open new avenues in the field of cloning, suggesting potential alternatives to adult fibroblasts as nuclear donors.

Cite This Article

APA
Olivera R, Moro LN, Jordan R, Pallarols N, Guglielminetti A, Luzzani C, Miriuka SG, Vichera G. (2018). Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as nuclear donors improve viability and health of cloned horses. Stem Cells Cloning, 11, 13-22. https://doi.org/10.2147/SCCAA.S151763

Publication

Stem cells and cloning : advances and applications
ISSN: 1178-6957
NlmUniqueID: 101535817
Country: New Zealand
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 13-22

Researcher Affiliations

Olivera, R
  • KHEIRON S.A Laboratory, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Moro, L N
  • LIAN-Unit Associated with CONICET, FLENI, Belen de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jordan, R
  • KHEIRON S.A Laboratory, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Pallarols, N
  • Kawell Equine Hospital, Solís, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Guglielminetti, A
  • Kawell Equine Hospital, Solís, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Luzzani, C
  • LIAN-Unit Associated with CONICET, FLENI, Belen de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Miriuka, S G
  • LIAN-Unit Associated with CONICET, FLENI, Belen de Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Vichera, G
  • KHEIRON S.A Laboratory, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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