Efficiency of transgenes in sheep: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University

Abstract

It is possible to incorporate the genes from one livestock species, into another. This allows an opportunity to improve the genetic merit of the livestock. However, for this to be recognised in sheep, the efficiency of transgenic work, needs to be improved for the technique to be commercially viable. The technique used is microinjecting. This injects the desired productivity gene into the embryo at the one cell stage. Superovulation is used to ensure that large numbers of eggs are released for fertilization and collection. Large egg numbers are required, as the efficiency of the procedure, is low now. After the embryos have been microinjected, they are stored for 48 hours. Embryos that have responded well are transferred into a recipient ewe. In this study, 360 embryos were collected from 102 ewes, microinjection and transfer to the recipient ewes, was successful with 108 embryos. So far two pregnancies have resulted.