TRANSGENIC PIGS PRODUCED USING IN VITRO MATURED OOCYTES INFECTED WITH A RETROVIRAL VECTOR

Abstract

Here we report the production of transgenic pigs that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Porcine oocytes were matured in vitro in a serum-free, chemically defined maturation medium, subsequently infected with a replication deficient pseudotyped retrovirus, fertilized and cultured in vitro before being transferred to a recipient female. Two litters were born from these embryo transfers; one pig from each litter was identified as transgenic and both expressed eGFP. From a tool in basic research to direct applications in production agriculture, domestic livestock capable of expressing foreign genes have many scientific applications.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Funding was provided by the NIH NCRR and Food for the 21^st Century. RAC is a recipient of a USDA National Needs fellowship.