Establishment of an in vitro production system for nuclear transfer embryos reconstituted with cultured cells in pigs

摘要

During the past decade new biotechnology in reproduction based on molecular genetics and embryology has rapidly developed: sexing of embryo and sperm, knock-out by homologous recombination of targeted genes, transgenic animals by means of ES cells,and animal cloning by nuclear transfer of somatic cells. These techniques enable us to make novel, economical products. We now therefore need to further develop this biotechnology. Considerable attention has been directed toward the development of reproductive technologies for both research purposes and for more controlled swine reproduction. In addition, significant reproducible methods of somatic cell nuclear transfer make it possible to genetically modify pigs for xenotransplantation, the productionofpharmaceutical proteins, and the enhancement of pig breeding programs and, in vitro culture systems are expected to be a valuable tools for such research. In this paper we will introduce a recently developed in vitro production system for nuclear transfer embryos reconstituted with cultured cells in pigs.