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Targeting epigenetic nuclear reprogramming in aggregated cloned equine embryos
Thiago V Damasceno Teixeira1, Richard C Fry1, Angus McKinnon2
1Laboratory of Animal and Meat Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
Reproduction, Fertility, and Development
|October 5, 2019
Summary
Researchers explored epigenetic reprogramming strategies to improve equine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) efficiency. Chetomin treatment resulted in the first cloned foal born in Australia, despite no significant improvement in developmental rates.
Area of Science:
- Animal cloning
- Reproductive biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) efficiency is limited by epigenetic perturbations during reprogramming.
- Equine cloning is of significant interest but remains an expensive and inefficient process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of three epigenetic reprogramming strategies on equine SCNT efficiency.
- To establish a starting point for future protocols aimed at improving equine cloning.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of somatic cells with chetomin, a histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation inhibitor.
- Addition of caffeine to oocyte culture medium as a protein phosphatase inhibitor.
- Treatment with trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, during embryo activation and culture.
Main Results:
- None of the tested treatments significantly improved in vitro developmental rates of cloned equine embryos.
- The first equine cloned foal born in Australia was produced using somatic cells treated with chetomin.
- Chetomin, caffeine, and TSA were used for the first time in equine SCNT protocols.
Conclusions:
- While treatments did not enhance in vitro development, chetomin shows promise for improving equine cloning outcomes.
- This study provides foundational data for developing improved equine cloning protocols targeting epigenetic reprogramming.
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