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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Isolation of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells by Multi-parameter Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 1, 2015
Lymphoid hypoplasia and somatic cloning
J P Renard1, S Chastant, P Chesné
1Unité de Biologie du Développement, INRA, Jouy en Josas, France. renard@biotec.jouy.inra.fr
Background:
Adult somatic cloning by nuclear transfer is associated with high rate of perinatal mortality but there is still no evidence that nuclear transfer itself is responsible for these failures. We report on a longlasting defect linked to somatic cloning.
Methods:
Skin cells grown from an ear biopsy specimen from a 15-day-old calf were used as a source of nuclei. The donor animal was a clone of three females obtained from embryonic cells. Clinical examination, haematological, and biochemical profiles, and echocardiography of the somatic clone were done from birth to death.
Findings:
After 6 weeks of normal development, the somatic cloned calf had a sudden and rapid fall in lymphocyte count and a decrease in haemoglobin. The calf died on day 51 from severe anaemia. Necropsy revealed no abnormality except thymic atrophy and lymphoid hypoplasia.
Interpretation:
Somatic cloning may be the cause of long-lasting deleterious effects. Our observation should be taken into account in debates on reproductive cloning in human beings.
Insights
Somatic cloning in calves may cause severe anemia and thymic atrophy. This study highlights potential long-term health defects in cloned animals, impacting discussions on reproductive cloning.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is linked to high perinatal mortality in cloned animals.
- The specific contribution of SCNT to these failures remains unclear.
- This study investigates a potential long-lasting defect associated with somatic cloning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate long-term health consequences in a calf produced by somatic cloning.
- To determine if SCNT itself is associated with specific defects beyond perinatal mortality.
Main Methods:
- Skin cells from an ear biopsy of a cloned calf's donor were used for nuclear transfer.
- The donor animal was derived from embryonic cells.
- The somatic clone underwent comprehensive clinical, hematological, biochemical, and echocardiographic evaluations from birth to death.
Main Results:
- The cloned calf exhibited normal development for 6 weeks.
- A rapid decline in lymphocyte count and hemoglobin levels was observed.
- The calf died on day 51 due to severe anemia, with necropsy revealing thymic atrophy and lymphoid hypoplasia.
Conclusions:
- Somatic cloning may induce persistent, detrimental health effects.
- The observed thymic atrophy and lymphoid hypoplasia suggest immune system compromise.
- These findings are relevant to ethical considerations in human reproductive cloning debates.
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