Advancements in Stem Cell Applications for Livestock Research: A Review
by
,
Limeng Shi
1,†, 
Muhammad Zahoor Khan
1,†
,
Abd Ullah
1,
Huili Liang
1,
Mingyang Geng
2,
Muhammad Faheem Akhtar
1,
Jincheng Na
2,
Ying Han
1,* and
Changfa Wang
1,* 1
Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, College of Agriculture and Biology, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
2
Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture Livestock General Station, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Yili 835000, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(5), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12050397
Submission received: 13 March 2025
/
Revised: 16 April 2025
/
Accepted: 20 April 2025
/
Published: 23 April 2025
Simple Summary
This review examines the current status and future prospects of stem cell applications in livestock research, focusing on herbivorous species, including bovines, goats, deer, horses, and camels. This review explores various types of stem cells (induced pluripotent, embryonic, and mesenchymal) and their therapeutic applications in treating conditions, like mastitis in cattle, muscle development in goats, tissue regeneration using deer antler stem cells, and orthopedic issues in horses. The authors discuss isolation methodologies, culture techniques, and the molecular mechanisms governing stem cell function. This review also addresses challenges in the field, including technical difficulties, genetic stability concerns, and ethical considerations related to animal welfare in stem cell research.
Abstract
Stem cells (SCs), distinguished by their capacity for self-renewal and multipotent differentiation, represent a cornerstone of regenerative medicine. These cells, which can be categorized according to their differentiation potential and developmental origin, have emerged as pivotal elements in both biomedical research and veterinary science. In herbivorous species, stem cell applications have yielded particularly promising advances across multiple domains, including reproductive biotechnology, tissue engineering and regeneration, therapeutic interventions, and immunomodulation. This review synthesizes contemporary research on stem cell biology in five economically significant herbivorous species: bovine, ovine, deer, equine, and camelid. Special emphasis is placed on stem cell isolation methodologies, culture optimization techniques, and the molecular mechanisms governing key signaling pathways. The discussion encompasses both the technical impediments facing stem cell research and the ethical framework necessary for responsible scientific advancement, with particular attention to animal welfare considerations in the development and implementation of stem cell-based technologies.
Keywords:
animal welfare; herbivores; mastitis; orthopedic diseases; regeneration; stem cells
