Date of Award:

5-2013

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

S. Clay Isom

Committee

S. Clay Isom

Committee

Kenneth L. White

Committee

Lee F. Rickords

Committee

Kenneth L. White

Abstract

In mammalian pregnancy, the placenta is a very important organ which helps to establish a healthy pregnancy. Its functions could be described in four points: 1) It allows the fetus to receive gases and nutrients from the mother in a safe way; 2) it lets the fetus get rid of waste through the mother's kidneys; 3) it releases essential pregnancy-related hormones and growth factors that let the uterus hold the fetus; 4) it secretes immune response regulators to give the fetus immune protection against the mother. Abnormalities in the placenta can be the cause of death to the fetus. Mammalian trophoblast cells are responsible of forming the placenta. Therefore, the importance of understanding the function of these cells is critical to obtain a successful pregnancy and high fetus survival. Early embryonic porcine trophoblast-derived cells have shown interesting characteristics in gene expression. When these cells have been cultured in a special formula which does not contain fetal bovine serum, they have been shown to grow continuously without showing signs of death. Also, these cells have been shown to be receptive to foreign DNA which they have been able to incorporate and express inside their nucleus. Currently, cloning techniques contribute to a poor successful fetus survival. A better understanding of in vitro trophoblast models and of the characteristics demonstrated by early embryonic porcine trophoblast-derived cells could lead to a better fetus survival rate in cloned animals. Also, these cells could be utilized as new tools in the laboratory to understand cell and tissue reprogramming utilizing these cells.

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