Somatic feather follicle cell culture of the gallus domesticus species for creating a wild bird genetic resource bank

Abstract

The creation of a genetic resource bank of avian species aims to prevent the decline and fragmentation of wild bird populations, which in turn lead to the loss of genetic diversity and, in more serious cases, the extinction of the most threatened species. In order for the collected genetic material to be stored in a bank and useful when necessary, it is essential to improve the technique ensuring its effectiveness. Thus, our study used feather follicle cells from the domestic gallus species to standardize the technique of cell culture and subsequent cryopreservation. This study aimed to establish a protocol, in vitro, of isolation and primary culture of somatic cells derived from the feather follicle, with the purpose of establishing a cell lineage, and evaluate its viability for the biobank formation. Developing feathers of gallus domesticus were collected at 12, 21 and 34 days of age. The feathers were morphologically analyzed and then we selected the region of the calamus due to the presence of pulp for cell culture and cryopreservation. The results showed that it is possible to find cells with distinct morphology; cells in elliptical shape with central nucleus also in elliptical shape, cells with shape and round nucleus, cells compatible with the fibers of the barbules, cell agglomerates and cells adhered to the bottom of the plate with fibroblastatoid shape. After 24 hours of culture there was the presence of primary culture with 80% of confluence and after cryopreservation the average viability after freezing was 68.8%, with cellular morphologies being maintained. Therefore, we proved the isolation of somatic cells from the follicle of bird's feathers, suggesting that this is a source of great value, viable and effective for obtaining biological material for the elaboration of a biobank.

Primary Cell Lines From Feathers and Blood of Free-Living Tawny Owls (Strix aluco): A New In Vitro Tool for Non-Lethal Toxicological Studies

“…Historically, cell lines have been based on domestic species like the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) or quail (Coturnix coturnix) ( Xi et al, 2003 ; Cardoso et al, 2020 ). By validating the use of primary cultures from blood and feather cells, in vitro studies can be further expanded into wildlife, instead of model species.…”

One Conservation: the integrated view of biodiversity conservation

“…Strategies for the conservation of Brazilian fauna thru germplasm cryopreservation and storage in biobanks are being taken (Machado et al, 2016;Miranda et al, 2019;Praxedes et al, 2018a). Gametes of different species are being collected and cryopreserved (Araujo et al, 2020;Carelli et al, 2017;Silva et al, 2020b;Silva et al, 2019a, b) as well as somatic cells (Praxedes et al, 2018b) and fibroblasts and different tissues such as testicular (Silva et al, 2020a), ovarian (Campos et al, 2019b), skin from post-mortem animal (Machado et al, 2017;Santos et al, 2021), preantral follicles (Campos et al, 2019a) and even somatic feather follicle cell (Cardoso et al, 2020). Although these biotechnologies are extremely promising for the conservation of species, it is important to note that many of them have not yet been successful in free-living animals.…”

Ultrastructural and morphometric description of the ear skin and cartilage of two South American wild histricognate rodents (Dasyprocta leporina and Galea spixii)

“…These animals play different roles in the functionality of the environment that they inhabit and are models for rodents under the threat of extinction (Praxedes et al 2018b), since their populations are stable (Catzeflis et al 2016, Emmons & Reid 2016. In other species, the use of an experimental model with a stable population has already been and interesting alternative and an important tool used in animal conservation research programs (Cardoso et al 2020, Echeverry et al 2020.…”