Development of the techniques for nuclear transfer in pigs

Area of Science:

• Animal cloning and reproductive biotechnology.
• Genetics and genetic engineering.
• Developmental biology in mammals.

Background:

• Nuclear transfer (NT) in pigs originated in the late 1980s, building on earlier work in other species.
• Early NT methods involved pronuclear exchange and cleavage stage embryo nuclei transfer, achieving term development.
• Persistent challenges, particularly inadequate oocyte activation, have historically limited NT efficiency in pigs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development and current status of nuclear transfer technology in pigs.
• To highlight recent advancements in overcoming oocyte activation issues in porcine NT.
• To emphasize the potential of genetically engineered pigs produced via NT for agricultural and biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of established nuclear transfer techniques in pigs, including pronuclear and embryonic cell nuclear transfer.
• Discussion of advancements in improving oocyte activation protocols for porcine NT.
• Exploration of strategies for genetic engineering of cell lines prior to NT.

Main Results:

• Nuclear transfer techniques have evolved, leading to term development in pigs.
• Recent progress has been made in addressing the critical issue of inadequate oocyte activation.
• The potential for producing genetically modified pigs via NT is increasingly recognized.

Conclusions:

• Despite historical challenges, nuclear transfer in pigs has progressed significantly.
• Improved oocyte activation is crucial for enhancing NT efficiency.
• Genetically engineered pigs hold substantial promise for revolutionizing production agriculture and human medicine.