زهرا رشیدیان - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
نیما دهدیلانی - Division of Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
حسام دهقانی - Division of Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran & Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad,
علی جوادمنش - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran & Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Resrach Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad,

Sheep satellite cells more than satellite cells of the rat and mouse are similar to human satellite cells. These cells are widely used in the modeling and treatment of diseases like heart insufficiency, neurological diseases, muscular dystrophy, cerebral cell transplantation for the treatment of migraines, screening, and the production of new drugs. This study was aimed to isolate and culture primary satellite cells (PSCs) obtained from sheep fetus, and perform clonal expansion of transfected PSCs. Skeletal muscle tissues of hind limbs were collected from sheep fetuses obtained from a local abattoir. After enzymatic digestion, flasks were replaced after ۳ hours to isolate non-myogenic cells, such as fibroblasts. After six days, the cells were differentiated to myoblasts. Using a differentiation medium containing the horse serum, myotube cells were observed in the flask, indicating that the cultured cells were satellite cells. The mRNA expression of the PAX۷ gene was used to confirm the presence of satellite cells. In addition, the results showed that satellite cells grow in a culture medium containing ۵% FBS without differentiation, while ۱۰% FBS initiates their differentiation.

Myoblasts, PAX۷, Satellite cells, Sheep