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Viable transgenic goats derived from skin cells.
Esmail Behboodi1, Erdogan Memili, David T Melican
1GTC-Biotherapeutics Inc., 5 Mountain Road, Framingham, MA, 01701, USA.
Transgenic Research
|September 14, 2004
Summary
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) can expand transgenic goat herds. In vivo embryo culture yielded pregnancies and healthy transgenic kids, while in vitro culture did not result in any pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Animal Biotechnology
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Expanding transgenic goat herds is crucial for research and biotechnology.
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) offers a potential method for generating genetically identical animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of SCNT using somatic cells from transgenic goats for herd expansion.
- To compare the developmental efficiency of SCNT embryos cultured in vitro versus in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Synchronized skin fibroblasts from adult transgenic goats were used as nuclear donors.
- Oocytes were enucleated and reconstructed with donor cell nuclei, followed by electrical fusion and activation.
- Embryos underwent either in vitro culture or in vivo oviductal culture before transfer to recipient goats.
Main Results:
- In vitro cultured SCNT embryos developed to morula/blastocyst stages but did not result in pregnancies.
- In vivo cultured SCNT embryos achieved a 30% pregnancy rate.
- Two of the four term pregnancies resulted in healthy, transgenic kids confirmed by FISH analysis.
Conclusions:
- In vivo embryo culture significantly improves pregnancy rates for SCNT in goats compared to in vitro culture.
- SCNT is a viable method for producing transgenic goats, contributing to herd expansion and genetic research.