Study on Hematological and Biochemical Characters of Cloned Duroc Pigs and Their Progeny

Abstract

Simple SummaryCloning is the most promising technique for passing the excellent phenotypes of the best individuals in the population. Here we studied the effects of cloning on Duroc pig, which is the most popular sire used in pig production due to its good growth and meat quality. Understanding the changes of cloned Duroc pigs and their progenies is of great importance for animal breeding and public acceptance. The results of this study suggested that there were no difference in blood parameters between the cloned Duroc and the conventionally bred Duroc and their progenies.AbstractTo increase public understanding in cloned animals produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer technology, our previous study investigated the carcass trait and meat quality of the clones (paper accepted), and this study we further evaluate differences by investigating the blood parameters in cloned pigs and their progeny. We collected blood samples from the clones and conventionally bred non-clones and their progeny, and investigated their hematological and blood biochemical characters. Our results supported the hypothesis that there was no significant difference between clones and non-clones, or their progeny. Taken together, the data demonstrated that the clones or their progeny were similar with their controls in terms of blood parameters, although there were still other kinds of disorders, such as abnormal DNA methylation or histone modifications that needs further investigation. The data in this study agreed that cloning technique could be used to preserve and enlarge the genetics of the superior boars in pig breeding industry, especially in facing of the deadly threat of African Swine fever happened in China.

Adiponectin Improves In Vitro Development of Cloned Porcine Embryos by Reducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis

“…Along with the success of IVF-IVC technologies, crucial improvements have been achieved in SCNT through the enhancement of enucleation methods, fusion, activation, and production efficiency [ 48 , 49 ]. However, embryos derived from current IVC systems still face the major challenge of low development rate and quality compared to in vivo-derived embryos [ 50 , 51 ]. The major contributor to this failure in in vitro embryonic development is ER stress signaling, and factors that modulate or alleviate ER stress signaling have resulted in positive effects on embryo survival and further development capacity [ 28 ].…”

Correlations between Antioxidant and Biochemical Parameters of Blood Serum of Duroc Breed Pigs

“…It is well known [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ] that the PhBS of animals is initially determined by the multilevel and complex interaction of the systems of the animal body. Therefore, a comparative analysis of the biochemical parameters of blood is especially important.…”

“…The data of biochemical analysis, obtained in the work of Gu T. [ 46 ], did not show significant differences in more than 40 parameters in purebred Duroc pigs, their clones and offspring (including two-breed hybrids in various variations). According to Gu T. et al [ 46 ], on the 112th day, the level of total protein in the blood of Duroc pigs was 76.38 g/L; albumin—40.08 g/L; globulins—36.30 g/L; glucose—3.35 mmol/L; calcium—2.65 mmol/L. However, in the work of Gu T. [ 46 ], we did not find data characterizing the state of the antioxidant system in pigs.…”

Impact of Embryo Transfer on the phenotype of the offspring in pigs

“…Although there are few references to haematological and biochemical parameters in the porcine species [29], there are various studies in cloned pigs where different blood parameters have been evaluated [30][31][32]. In addition, other studies in piglets of two age groups with and without iron supplementation [16] have recently provided some reference intervals that could help us interpret the results obtained.…”