Pseudopregnant mice generated from Piwil1 deficiency sterile mice
Shuoshuo Xie1, Ruixin Qin1, Wentao Zeng1,2
1Jiangsu Animal Experimental Center of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Cell Biology, Department of Medical Genetics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Plos One
|May 21, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed sterile Miwi-modified mice using CRISPR–Cas9 technology. These mice serve as a viable alternative to vasectomized mice, reducing animal suffering in transgenic research and assisted reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics and Genomics
- Animal Models
Background:
- Vasectomized mice are crucial for producing transgenic mice.
- Vasectomy inflicts significant physical and psychological distress on mice.
- A humane alternative to vasectomized mice is needed for transgenic mouse production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate sterile male mice using CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Miwi-modified mice as a replacement for vasectomized males in assisted reproduction.
- To establish a new animal model for transgenic research.
Main Methods:
- CRISPR–Cas9 technology was employed to create a 99-base insertion in the Miwi (Piwil1) gene of C57BL/6J mice.
- Generated homozygous Piwil1mt/mt males were assessed for fertility.
- Fertilized eggs were transplanted into pseudopregnant females mated with Piwil1mt/mt males to evaluate offspring genotype and count.
Main Results:
- Homozygous Piwil1mt/mt males were confirmed to be sterile, while heterozygous mice and homozygous females remained fertile.
- Mating Piwil1mt/mt males with pseudopregnant females resulted in no offspring of the Piwil1mt/mt genotype.
- The number of offspring did not significantly differ compared to using ligated males.
Conclusions:
- CRISPR–Cas9 is effective for generating Miwi-modified mice.
- Miwi-modified sterile mice are a suitable and humane replacement for vasectomized males in assisted reproduction and transgenic research.
- This study provides a valuable resource for advancing ethical animal models in scientific research.
