COMPLETE ACTIVATION OF MAMMALIAN OOCYTES

摘要

Provided is a method of parthenogenetically activating an unfertilized mammalian oocyte, comprising contacting an unfertilized mammalian oocyte with an oocyte-modifying agent followed by a reducing agent, wherein the mammalian oocyte is in contact with the oocyte-modifying agent and reducing agent, respectively, for a time and under conditions such that the unfertilized mammalian oocyte is activated. Also provided are methods for transplanting a nucleus from a cultured mammalian cell, mammalian embryo, mammalian foetus, or an adult mammal to a recipient mammalian oocyte; producing a cloned mammalian embryo; and producing a cloned mammal, as well as the cloned products produced by these methods. Finally, a method of studying genetic imprinting in mammals is also provided.