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Fertilizable Rat Sperm Is Generated in Mice Using Blastocyst Complementation: An Efficient Method for Producing Rats
Rie Natsume1, Kosuke Murata1,2, Hiroaki Taketsuru1,3
1Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
Summary
Researchers created rat offspring using sperm derived from rat embryonic stem cells (ES cells) grown in mice. This novel blastocyst complementation technique enables efficient genetic modification in rats.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Generating genetically modified rats is crucial for research but faces limitations.
- Rat embryonic stem cells (ES cells) have potential for genetic engineering.
- Efficient methods for producing genetically modified rat offspring are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for generating rat offspring using rat ES cell-derived sperm.
- To overcome limitations in current rat genetic engineering techniques.
- To establish a cost-effective and efficient strategy for producing genetically modified rats.
Main Methods:
- Optimized culture conditions to establish naïve male rat ES cells.
- Injected rat ES cells into germ cell-deficient mouse blastocysts (blastocyst complementation).
- Performed intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using chimeric mouse sperm to fertilize rat oocytes.
Main Results:
- Established pluripotent male rat ES cells from transgenic rat strains.
- Produced chimeric mice capable of generating rat-derived sperm.
- Successfully produced viable rat offspring with ES cell-derived traits via ICSI.
Conclusions:
- The blastocyst complementation method using rat ES cells in germ cell-deficient mice is effective for producing rat-derived sperm.
- This approach offers a superior alternative to previous methods by eliminating host cell contribution and potentially increasing efficiency.
- This technique provides a cost-effective and efficient strategy for generating genetically modified rats, advancing genetic engineering capabilities.
