Wharton's jelly is rich in hyaluronic acid, collagens and growth factors. Published evidence about it is early and mostly based on small studies.
A 2026 analysis of six commercial Wharton's jelly products reported low total cell counts and low cell viability, with only rare viable mesenchymal stromal cells identified. A separate 2021 study found no colony-forming mesenchymal stromal cells in five cord-derived products. These findings are specific to the products those studies tested, and they are why Precision Biologics describes its Wharton's jelly catalog as perinatal tissue allografts or regenerative biologics rather than as stem cell products.
When evaluating a Wharton's jelly product, request donor eligibility documentation, the recovery and processing timeline, and a lot-specific certificate of analysis, and confirm which format, cryopreserved or lyophilized, matches your clinic's storage capability. Whether a specific intended use meets all applicable criteria in 21 CFR 1271.10 is a determination for the clinic and its own counsel, not something a supplier can decide on a clinic's behalf.
Wharton's jelly is the category several catalog products sit under, so understanding its documented composition helps a buyer ask precise questions instead of relying on "stem cell" terminology.