In vitro breeding: Application of embryonic stem cells to animal production

Daniel E. Goszczynski, Hao Cheng, Sebastian Demyda-Peyrás, Juan F. Medrano, Jun Wu, Pablo J. Ross

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from the inner cell mass of preimplantation blastocysts. For decades, attempts to efficiently derive ESCs in animal livestock species have been unsuccessful, but this goal has recently been achieved in cattle. Together with the recent reconstitution of the germ cell differentiation processes from ESCs in mice, these achievements open new avenues for the development of promising technologies oriented toward improving health, animal production, and the environment. In this article, we present a strategy that will notably accelerate genetic improvement in livestock populations by reducing the generational interval, namely in vitro breeding (IVB). IVB combines genomic selection, a widely used strategy for genetically improving livestock, with ESC derivation and in vitro differentiation of germ cells from pluripotent stem cells. We also review the most recent findings in the fields on which IVB is based. Evidence suggests this strategy will be soon within reach.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)885-895
Number of pages11
JournalBiology of reproduction
Volume100
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2019

Keywords

  • differentiation
  • embryonic stem cells
  • gametogenesis
  • genetics
  • genomics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In vitro breeding: Application of embryonic stem cells to animal production'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this