Potential of placental-derived human mesenchymal stem cells for osteogenesis and neurogenesis.

INTRODUCTION: Placenta can become an attractive source of stem cells due to its known richness in cell number and accessible, non-invasive procedures to harvest them. The purpose of this study focuses on the pluripotecy of placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells through differentiation towards osteogenic and neurogenic lineages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The biological material was represented by populations of human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from chorionic villi (h-CMSCs) and amniotic membranes (h-AMSCs) of full-term placenta. The potential of h-CMSCs and h-AMSCs was assessed trough growth kinetics, differentiation towards osteogenic and neurogenic lineages and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Human chorionic and amniotic mesenchymal stem cells are CD44+ (adult mesenchymal stem cell marker), CD45-, CD34- (adult hematopoietic stem cell markers) and display specific osteogenic and neurogenic morphology. The immunohistochemistry assays show the presence of Osteopontin+ and Osteonectin+ cells (osteogenic differentiation) as well as Synaptophysin+, GFAP+ and S100+ cells (confirming the glial differentiation) and NSE+ cells, indicators of neuronal differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells show remarkable differentiation potential under appropriate culture conditions. The expressions of osteogenic and neurogenic markers support the conclusion that placenta is an excellent mesenchymal stem cell source for osteogenesis as well as neurogenesis. Future research in this area will identify the best clinical applications for this new source of stem cells.

Dairy cows welfare quality in tie-stall housing system with or without access to exercise.

BACKGROUND: Tie-stall housing of dairy cows is used extensively worldwide, despite of the welfare concerns regarding the restriction of voluntary movement and limitation of expression of the cows' natural behaviour. The aim of this study was to compare the welfare quality of dairy cows kept in two types of tie-stall housing systems: with regular outdoor exercise and without access to exercise. In addition, the study investigated the relationship between different welfare measures of dairy cows kept in tie-stalls. METHODS: 3,192 lactating cows were assessed using the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for cattle in 80 commercial dairy farms, half of the farms providing outdoor access for the animals to exercise. The descriptive statistical indicators were determined for the assessed measures and for the welfare criteria and principle scores. The data obtained in the two housing types were compared and the correlation coefficients were calculated between the different welfare measures. RESULTS: The significant differences found between the two housing systems for the majority of the animal based measures indicate the positive effect of exercise on the welfare of tethered cows. Many of the animal welfare parameters correlated with each other. For the farms allowing the cows' turnout in a paddock, pasture or both, the mean scores for the welfare criteria and principles were higher than for the farms with permanent tethering of the cows, except the criteria absence of prolonged hunger and expression of social behaviours. The lowest scores were obtained for the criterion positive emotional state, in both housing systems. With regard to the overall classification, none of the farms were considered excellent. In the not classified category were only farms with all-year-round tethering of the animals and in the enhanced category only farms where the cows had outdoor access. CONCLUSIONS: The welfare quality of the investigated dairy cows was significantly better in the tie-stall farms which allow exercise for cows (paddocks, pasture or both) than in those which do not. In the light of our results we consider that dairy cattle welfare is not necessarily poor in tie-stall housing systems, its quality depending on the management practices.