Derivation of Embryonic Stem Cells from an Endangered Cattle Breed via Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Embryonic stem cells represent a valuable germplasm resource with significant implications for breed conservation, development, and utilization. However, the scarcity of genetic resources in endangered species poses a fundamental constraint on obtaining gametes for embryonic stem cell derivation. Therefore, generating embryonic stem cells from somatic cell nuclear transfer blastocysts offers an optimal alternative for conservation cloning. In this study, we established ApèiJiaza somatic cell nuclear transfer ESCs (APNT-ESCs) from cloned embryos, using ApèiJiaza cattle ear fibroblasts as nuclear donors. APNT-ESCs could be passaged for over 30 generations in vitro, exhibiting high expression of key pluripotency markers, genomic stability, and the ability to form embryoid bodies and differentiate into cell types of all three germ layers. This research established an effective biotechnological framework for the genetic conservation of other endangered species lacking accessible gametes.