Cloned transgenic mouse fetuses from embryonic stem cells.

ABSTRACT

Development of efficient efficient system for genetic modification and large-scale cloning of livestock is of importance for agriculture, biotechnology, or human medicine. The mouse, on the other hand, is an ideal model in the basic studies of genetic modification. In this study, we investigated about production of clone mice from established embryonic stem (ES) cell line by nuclear transfer. Further, we had try of production of cloned transgenic mouse fetuses/offspring using ES cells modified with a marker gene, EGFP. With the ES cell line TT2 which is at least 15 passages, reconstructed oocytes developed to 2-8 cell embryos, morulae, or blastocysts (44.8%), and 17.2% of them developed to term (19.5 days post-coitum, dpc). When 40 embryos with the marker gene transferred to 11 surrogate mothers (pseudopregnant females), 5 live fetuses were recognized in the uteli at 13.5 dpc and in these fetuses expression of GFP was observed, but none developed beyond 19.5 dpc. The present results suggest that ES cells can be used tg produce cloned mice.