Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
08:59
Laser-assisted Cytoplasmic Microinjection in Livestock Zygotes
Published on: October 5, 2016
[Sheep transgenic embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection]
Ke Mian Gou1, Xiao Rong An, Jian Hui Tian
1The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094.
Shi Yan Sheng Wu Xue Bao
|September 4, 2004
Summary
This study demonstrates that sheep transgenic embryos can be produced using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Researchers optimized oocyte activation and sperm injection techniques to achieve successful embryo development and gene expression in sheep.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Animal Biotechnology
- Genetics
Context:
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a key technique in assisted reproductive technologies.
- Sheep transgenesis is crucial for developing genetically modified livestock for research and production.
- Optimizing ICSI protocols for sheep is essential for efficient genetic manipulation.
Purpose:
- To assess the feasibility of producing transgenic sheep using ICSI.
- To optimize ovine oocyte activation and sperm injection procedures for ICSI.
- To evaluate the developmental competence and transgene expression of ICSI-derived embryos.
Summary:
- Ovine oocyte activation was optimized using ionomycin followed by 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP), yielding high cleavage and blastocyst rates.
- ICSI resulted in significantly higher cleavage rates compared to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and sham-ICSI.
- Transgenic sheep embryos expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were produced via ICSI, with successful gene expression observed in early developmental stages.
Impact:
- This research establishes ICSI as a viable method for generating transgenic sheep.
- The findings contribute to advancing genetic engineering techniques in livestock.
- Successful production of transgenic sheep embryos paves the way for future research in animal transgenesis and its applications.
Related Concept Videos
00:53Transgenic Organisms
Overview
01:08Cloning of Dolly the Sheep
The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual, the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter telomeres than other...