Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2020, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (8): 228-234.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2020-0014

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Application Prospects of Stem Cell Technology in the Protection of Indigenous Porcine Germplasm Resources

SUN Jia-dong, SUN Xiao-feng, LI Lan, SHEN Wei, CHENG Shun-feng   

  1. College of Life Sciences,Qingdao Agricultural University,Qingdao 266109
  • Received:2020-01-04 Online:2020-08-26 Published:2020-08-27

Abstract: Our country is one where a large amount of pigs is breeding,owing 1/3 of the global porcine germplasm resources. However,in recent years,the breeding volume of indigenous pig has decreased sharply,and some breeds are almost extinct. The genetic resource diversity of indigenous pig breeds in China has been seriously damaged,and high-quality genes have been lost continuously. How to effectively protect and conserve these excellent germplasm resources is an urgent and critical issue. At present,the protection of porcine germplasm resources includes in situ conservation,cryopreservation of semen and embryos,DNA library conservation and cryopreservation of somatic cells;however on which there are some limitations. Stem cells are a type of cell population that can self-renew and have the potential to differentiate. It can not only differentiate into different types of cells,but also maintain the stability of its own population through division. Healthy offspring have been created successfully by stem cells in pigs and mice. Recently,a new wave of germplasm resource conservation led by stem cell research is emerging. Stem cell technology may become a new means to protect indigenous porcine germplasm resources.

Key words: stem cell technology, native pig breeds, germplasm resources, conservation