Published online Nov 26, 2020. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i11.1366
Peer-review started: March 12, 2020
First decision: May 26, 2020
Revised: July 2, 2020
Accepted: September 8, 2020
Article in press: September 8, 2020
Published online: November 26, 2020
Processing time: 259 Days and 6.4 Hours
High humidity and temperature in Taiwan have significant effects on the reproductivity of Holstein cattle, which results in the occurrence of bovine ovarian follicular cyst (OFC). Because of economic loss from OFC, manual rupture and hormone injection have been advocated. However, these incomplete treatments decrease the conception rate and increase hormone resistance in cattle. In recent years, stem cells have been extensively utilized to repair or replace damaged tissues. Injection of stem cells might become an effective modality to treat OFC.
Through angiogenesis promotion and immune modulation, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed the potential in the treatment of several diseases. Besides, MSCs can be non-invasively collected from the placenta without much ethical concern. With a great source of stem cells, transplantation treatment could be conducted practically.
This study established the possibility of using cattle placental stem cells (CPSCs) as a treatment modality for OFC in cows.
The cattle with OFC were divided into three groups: control (BC1 and BC2), hormone (H1 and H2), and CPSC (PS1 and PS2) treatment groups. In the hormone treatment group, the cows were given gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-prostaglandin-GnRH injection with or without drainage of follicular fluid. In the CPSC treatment groups, CPSCs were isolated from the placenta. The cows were given ovarian injection of 1 × 106 or 6 × 106 CPSCs with drainage. Then OFC was scanned by ultrasound once a week for a total of seven times. The concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in serum were tested in the same period. The estrus cycle was analyzed by food intake and activity. If estrus was detected, artificial insemination was conducted. The cow was monitored by ultrasound for confirmation of pregnancy.
After 7 d of culture, CPSCs were successfully isolated from placental pieces. CPSCs proliferated significantly every 24 h and highly expressed MSC markers, such as CD44. In an ultrasound study, more subsided OFCs were observed with drainage of follicular fluid. The recovery rates were 0%, 50%, 50%, 75%, 75%, and 75% in BC1, BC2, H1, H2, PS1, and PS2, respectively. The estrus rate was 0%, 100%, 25%, 75%, 75%, and 75% in BC1, BC2, H1, H2, PS1, and PS2, respectively. Two fetuses were born in H2 and PS1.
Cows with CPSC injection achieved higher recovery, estrus, and inseminated conception rates. This approach shows efficacy in treating cows with OFC.
CPSC injection could serve as an alternative treatment for OFC. In the future, other reproductive disorders might also be investigated with stem cell therapy.
