Derivation of Embryonic Stem Cells Across Avian Species

Chimeric and germline-competent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been derived from mice and rats, but not from other species. Here, we report the development of conditions for the derivation of ESCs from chickens and several other avian species. Chicken ESCs express core pluripotency markers and can efficiently differentiate into cells of all three germ layers. Furthermore, chicken ESCs can form high rates of chimerism when injected into chicken embryos both ex ovo and in ovo. More importantly, chicken ESCs can give rise to germ cells both in vitro and in ovo, indicating that chicken ESCs are germline competent. Interspecies chimeras can also be generated by injecting other avian ESCs into chicken embryos. Establishment of germline competent avian ESCs opens up a new avenue for producing genetically engineered avian species. Overall design: We derived embryonic stem cell lines using primary cells from EGK.X stage embryos of quail, goose and ostrich. We then performed gene expression profilling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of quail, goose and ostrich ES cell lines. Each type of sample was prepared in duplicate.