Totipotent stem cells and pluripotent stem cells are located in the reproductive organs of an adult mammal

Carcinoembryonic antigen-cell adhesion molecule-1 positive totipotent stem cells and stage specific embryonic antigen-4 positive pluripotent stem cells have been isolated from multiple species of adult animals, including humans. A previous study identified CEA-CAM-1 and SSEA-4 positive cells in the reproductive organs of an adult rat. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that the previously identified cells were totipotent stem cells (CEA-CAM-1 positive) and pluripotent stem cells (SSEA-4 positive). Adult male and female rats were euthanized following the guidelines of Mercer University’s IACUC. Testes, ovaries, and fallopian tubes were harvested and processed for isolation and characterization of the cells. The isolated cells were segregated using Miltenyi magnetic antibody separation columns using CEA-CAM-1, SSEA-4, and Thy-1 antibodies coupled to iron particles. The isolated and segregated cells were characterized based on immunocytochemical staining, size, Trypan blue staining, morphology, cultivation attributes, an ELICA for expressed phenotypic expression markers, and incubated with biological agents to determine their potential for differentiation. This is the first report of the existence of native populations of totipotent stem cells and pluripotent stem cells in the reproductive organs of an adult mammal.