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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Laser-assisted Cytoplasmic Microinjection in Livestock Zygotes
Published on: October 5, 2016
High developmental potential in vitro and in vivo of cattle embryos cloned without micromanipulators
Lleretny Rodríguez1, Felipe I Navarrete, Heribelt Tovar
1Animal Science, University of Concepcion, Avenida Vicente Méndez 595, Chillán, 537, Chile.
Purpose:
In order to simplify cloning, a new method that does not require micromanipulators was used. We aimed to evaluate the developmental potential of two bovine cell lines upon cloning.
Materials And Methods:
In vitro matured bovine oocytes, were released from zona pellucida, enucleated, fused to foetal or adult somatic donor cells. The reconstructed embryos were reprogrammed, activated and cultured until blastocyst stage. No micromanipulators were used. Blastocyst rate and quality was scored. Some expanded (d7) blastocysts were transferred to recipient cattle and collected back at d17 to assess elongation.
Results:
High developmental potential in vitro of cloned embryos to expanded (d7) blastocysts was achieved (52.6%). In one cell line, 65.7% of blastocysts was scored. Most blastocysts (87.4%) were graded as excellent. In vivo development to elongation (day-17) in temporary recipient cows also showed a high developmental potential (11/18 transferred blastocysts elongated).
Conclusions:
Hand-made cloning is an efficient alternative for cloning in cattle.
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