The effect of age and strain on screening, proliferation, and differentiation of chicken bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Background: Noticing the practical significance of stem cells, this study was conducted to culture and screen bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived from Raf and Hilline chicken strains and investigate the effect of age and race on the morphology and differentiation of the generated cells. Materials and Methods: In this fundamental study, bone marrow cells from 3 to 25 day-old Raf and Hiline chicken strains were cultured in low glucose DMEM, 10% BFS. Then third passage bone marrow cells of the two strains were compared in terms of morphology, differentiation to bone, cartilage, and adiposity. Data were analyzed through SPSS software. Results: In culturing Raf chicken derived bone marrow cells, in contrast to Hiline chicken strain, colonization took place and they almost had a better fibroblastic morphology. The results indicated higher yields of differentiation to bone, cartilage, and adipose tissues in Raf chicken derived bone marrow cells than Hiline chicken. These differences were statistically significant. Also, 15 days was the most suitable age for screening the mesenchymal stem cells of chicken. Conclusion: Screening and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells from 15-day old Raf chicken bone marrow cells are good resources for differentiation and purification of chicken bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.