Fetal Stem Cells in Farm Animals: Applications in Health and Production

Scientifically validated embryonic stem (ES) cell lines in species other than mice, humans and some primates are not yet established. New insights into biological properties, and ease of derivation make fetal and adult stem cells play a vital role in livestock health and production. The placenta and fetal adnexa (such as umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord matrix, amnion and fetal fibroblasts) are immensely valuable sources of pluripotent and progenitor cell lineages. The fetal cells are easily accessible in larger quantities, and can be used for various applications including assisted reproduction, regenerative medicine or production of induced pluripotent stem cells. The fetal stem cells due to expression of pluripotency markers and sharing similar growth kinetics to ES cells, provide strong support to the notion that they may be biological homologues to ES cells.