Production of cattle chimerae through embryo microsugery

Brem, Gottfried; Tenhumberg, H.; Kruff, B.; Kräusslich, Hans‐Georg

doi:10.1016/0093-691x(85)90088-3

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The potential role of whole body and germ cell chimeras in livestock production has been reviewed by Markert (55). Although sheep (15,31,81,116), cattle (11,75,109) and sheep-goat (32,84) chimeras have been reported, it is unlikely that chimeras of these species will contribute as much to developmental biology as have mouse chimeras because of the unavailability of isogenic strains with easily usable genetic markers. Eventually, appropriate DNA probes may be available to characterise the genetic composition of tissues and organs of cattle and sheep chimeras so that mechanisms controlling the expression of productive and adaptive characteristics may be studied.…”

Section: Chimeric Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive technology in animal production

Shelton

1990

Rev. Sci. Tech. OIE

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Research into physiology and embryology has provided a basis for the development of technologies that increase productivity of farm animals through enhanced control of reproductive function. Progestagens, alone or in combination with luteolysins, are used to control the time of oestrus in cattle, sheep and pigs, thus permitting better use of artificial insemination, providing synchronised recipients for embryos and facilitating management strategies. Treatment with progestagens and pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) or with gonadotrophs releasing hormone induces breeding activity in sheep and goats before the commencement of the breeding season and reduces the duration of postpartum anoestrus in cattle. In pigs, gonadotrophins are used to hasten puberty in gilts, control the time of oestrus in sows and gilts and reduce the interval between farrowing and oestrus. Implants of melatonin hasten the onset of the breeding season in sheep and goats. Success in increasing litter size in sheep and cattle with PMSG has been limited because of the large variation in response between animals. Likewise, immunisation against steroids has not given consistent results. Immunisation against inhibin appears to offer the possibility of increasing farm animal fecundity. Induction of twinning in cattle by embryo transfer is practicable, and recent developments suggest that in vitro fertilisation may provide a source of embryos for this purpose. Real-time ultrasonic scanning has proved to be a reliable method for diagnosing pregnancy in small ruminants and pigs. The identification of pregnancy-specific proteins in cattle and sheep may provide a cheap and practical serological test for pregnancy in these species. Partial segregation of spermatozoa into X-and Y-bearing components has been reported, but the method is not yet practicable for use in conventional artificial insemination of farm animals. The sex of bovine and ovine embryos can be determined reliably by DNA probes specific for. the Y chromosome. Monozygous twins can be produced in all farm animal species by microsurgical bisection of embryos and techniques for cloning from embryonic cells are rapidly being developed. There is a need to devise strategies to utilise these clones to best advantage in genetic programmes. Chimeric animals can be produced in the common farm animal species and will play an important role in genetic engineering, particularly when embryonic stem cell lines are produced in these species.

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