Characteristics of Female Germline Stem Cells from Porcine Ovaries at Sexual Maturity.

Pigs share many anatomical and physiological features with humans, offering a unique and viable model for biomedical research. Although porcine female germline stem cells (FGSCs) were identified in the juvenile ovary, no reports described the isolation and purification of FGSCs from the pig at sexual maturity. Here, we isolated, purified, and cultured FGSCs from porcine ovaries at sexual maturity.

Identification and SNP association analysis of a novel gene in chicken.

A novel gene that was predicted to encode a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcript was identified in a previous study that aimed to detect candidate genes related to growth rate differences between Chinese local breed Gushi chickens and Anka broilers. To characterise the biological function of the lncRNA, we cloned and sequenced the complete open reading frame of the gene. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to analyse the expression patterns of the lncRNA in different tissues of chicken at different development stages.

Extrinsic and intrinsic factors controlling spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), the stem cells responsible for male fertility, are one of a small number of cells with the abilities of both self-renewal and generation of large numbers of haploid cells. Technology improvements, most importantly, transplantation assays and in vitro culture systems have greatly expanded our understanding of SSC self-renewal and differentiation. Many important molecules crucial for the balance between self-renewal and differentiation have been recently identified although the exact mechanism(s) remain largely undefined.

SNPs in the adiponectin receptor 2 gene and their associations with chicken performance traits.

The adiponectin receptor 2 (ADIPOR2) is a receptor for both globular and full-length adiponectin. In the current study, two genetic variations in ADIPOR2 gene were identified in an F2 resource population of Gushi chicken and Anka broiler. Association analysis between the two SNPs and chicken performance traits were determined using the linear mixed model.