Brazilian researchers achieve full mammary-gland regeneration in dogs using stem cells

A team at the UFPI has successfully regenerated damaged breast tissue in a dog suffering from mastitis, using an autologous stem-cell therapy. This is reported by the official website of the Brazilian Government.

Conducted by the university’s research team under the coordination of Napoleao Argolo, the work marks a major advance in treating an inflammatory disease.

Researchers isolate mesenchymal stem cells from the animal itself. These cells can differentiate into multiple tissue types and modulate immune responses, promoting natural repair without risk of rejection.

“In practice, we achieved complete restoration of the mammary gland in dogs and goats, reversing fibrocystic changes that had rendered them unable to produce safe milk,” explained Napoleao Argolo. The team is also exploring kidney-tissue repair for renal-failure cases and recovery from neurological injuries in companion animals.

Thanks to optimised culture methods, it is possible to generate up to 35 million mesenchymal stem cells within 15 days. They all possess built-in immunomodulatory properties. The centre is now validating similar regeneration for bone, cartilage, adipose tissue and even bone-marrow disorders.

In parallel, researchers have developed bioactive hydrogels and biomaterials derived from regional plants – such as cashew gum, buriti palm and castor oil – to serve as three-dimensional scaffolds for cell delivery. These innovations have yielded patents on novel biocomposites, co-culture techniques and laboratory-safety software. 

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