Researchers have successfully grown special cells from cow placentas in laboratory dishes. These cells, called trophoblast stem cells, can grow in two different ways—either as flat layers or as tiny fluid-filled bubbles. By studying these cells, scientists hope to better understand how placentas develop and function during pregnancy. This breakthrough could help improve fertility treatments and pregnancy outcomes in cattle, and may eventually provide insights that benefit human pregnancy research as well.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether scientists could grow and study placenta cells from cows in laboratory conditions, and what these cells could tell us about how placentas develop
  • Who participated: This was laboratory research using cow cells, not a study involving live animals or people. The exact number of cell samples wasn’t specified in the paper
  • Key finding: Scientists successfully created cow placenta stem cells that can grow in two different forms—as flat layers or as bubble-like structures—and these cells behave similarly to natural placenta cells found in developing cow embryos
  • What it means for you: While this is basic science research, it may eventually help improve fertility treatments for cattle and could provide valuable information for understanding human pregnancy, though direct human applications are still years away

The Research Details

Scientists created special placenta cells from cow embryos by growing them in a carefully controlled laboratory environment with specific nutrients and growth factors. They used a special recipe containing two types of growth-blocking chemicals (GSK3b and MEK inhibitors) and a growth-promoting protein called WNT3. The cells were allowed to grow in two different ways—some attached to the bottom of dishes like a carpet, while others floated freely in liquid forming bubble-like structures. The researchers then examined what genes these cells were using (their genetic activity) to understand what type of cells they had created and how similar they were to natural placenta cells.

Understanding how placenta cells develop is important because the placenta is crucial for pregnancy success. In cows and other hoofed animals, the placenta develops differently than in humans, with a longer growth period before it attaches to the uterus. By studying these cells in the lab, scientists can learn about this unique process without needing to study live pregnant animals, which is more ethical and practical.

This is original laboratory research published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The researchers used modern genetic analysis techniques to confirm their cells were genuine placenta cells. However, because this is early-stage laboratory work, the findings need to be confirmed by other scientists before they can be applied to real-world situations. The study didn’t involve live animals or people, so it’s foundational research rather than immediately applicable to treatments.

What the Results Show

The scientists successfully created cow placenta stem cells that grew well in their laboratory medium. These cells could grow in two distinct forms: as flat layers attached to dishes, or as floating bubble-like structures filled with fluid. Both forms showed the ability to divide and multiply rapidly, which is important for a stem cell. When researchers examined the genes these cells were using, they found the cells expressed genes related to fat metabolism, hormone production, and nutrient absorption—all functions expected in placenta cells. The cells also produced specific proteins called Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins, which are markers of real placenta cells. Importantly, the genetic profile of these cells was intermediate between very early placenta cells and more developed placenta cells, suggesting they captured an important stage of placenta development.

The researchers discovered that their lab-grown cells could transform into binucleate cells (cells with two nuclei), which is a natural feature of cow placenta cells. When these placenta cells were grown together with embryonic stem cells, they helped form structures called blastoïds—miniature versions of early embryos. This demonstrates that the cells retain important developmental abilities and can interact properly with other embryonic cells. The cells did not produce interferon-tau (IFNt), a protein made by very early placenta cells, confirming they represented a more developed stage of placenta development.

This research builds on previous work in other animal species where scientists have grown similar placenta stem cells. The unique contribution here is establishing this technique specifically for cows and showing that these cells can grow in multiple forms. Previous studies in mice and other species showed similar cells could be created, but the cow version is particularly valuable because cows are large animals with pregnancy patterns more similar to humans than mice, making them better models for understanding placental development.

The study doesn’t specify exactly how many cell samples were used, making it harder to assess consistency. The research was conducted entirely in laboratory dishes, so it’s unclear whether these cells would behave identically in a living pregnant cow. The study focused on establishing and characterizing the cells rather than testing specific treatments or interventions. Additionally, while the cells show promise, they haven’t yet been tested for their ability to support full pregnancy development in living animals.

The Bottom Line

This is foundational research, so there are no direct health recommendations for the general public at this time. For cattle breeders and veterinarians: this research may eventually lead to improved fertility treatments and better understanding of pregnancy complications, but practical applications are still in development. Confidence level: Low for immediate applications; Medium for future potential.

Cattle breeders and veterinarians interested in improving reproductive success should follow this research. Scientists studying placental development and pregnancy will find this valuable. Researchers working on fertility treatments may eventually benefit from these findings. This research is not directly applicable to human pregnancy at this stage, though it may provide insights in the future.

This is early-stage research. It typically takes 5-10 years for laboratory discoveries like this to lead to practical applications in animal agriculture. Any potential human applications would take even longer and would require extensive additional research.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Not applicable—this is basic science research without direct consumer health applications. However, cattle breeders using fertility apps could track breeding success rates over time as new treatments based on this research become available.
  • Not applicable for general users. For researchers: this work suggests the importance of tracking and documenting cell behavior in multiple growth conditions (adherent vs. suspension) when establishing new cell lines.
  • For future applications: monitoring gene expression changes and cell differentiation patterns would be key metrics for assessing the effectiveness of treatments derived from this research.

This research describes laboratory work with animal cells and is not directly applicable to human health or medical treatment. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Anyone with questions about pregnancy, fertility, or related health concerns should consult with a qualified healthcare provider. For cattle producers, consult with a veterinarian before implementing any breeding or fertility strategies based on emerging research.