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Asked by emily8 to Judith on 18 Jun 2012.
Question: can we inject stem cells into a cows udder to increase productivity? if so, how could this be done?
- Keywords:
- cell,
- cow,
- experiment,
- stem,
- udder
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Judith Sleeman answered on 18 Jun 2012:
There have been some experiments done using a chemical to increase the number of mammary stem cells in dairy cows. These are cells than can become any one of a number of mature cell types in the mammary gland/udder. The cells themselves weren’t injected, though. I haven’t come across any reports of actually injecting stem cells into udders. The people who did the experiments with the chemical (xanthosine) suggested that increasing the number of mammary stem cells could increase milk production but, again, I couldn’t find any reports confirming this.
Do you fancy drinking milk from cows injected with stem cells?
- Keywords:
Comments
emily8 commented on :
i really dont see a problem with drinking stem cell milk?
emily8 commented on :
i’ve read stuff about mammary glands in mice being regrown, could this be done in cows?
Judith commented on :
@emily8: Yes, it’s similar technology applied to mice and cows. I’m a bit of a hippy about food production: we grow veg in the garden and try to buy food produced with animal welfare in mind. Each to their own, though, we’ve a huge world population to feed! I expect stem cell milk would be perfectly safe, just doesn’t appeal to me!