Production of transgenic rats using young Sprague-Dawley females treated with PMSG and hCG.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of gonadotrophin treatments on estrus synchronization and superovulation in young Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats that had not yet exhibited defined estrus cycles (5 to 7 weeks old), and to produce transgenic rats using these females as embryo donors and recipients. In Experiment 1, female rats were injected with PMSG and hCG (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 IU/kg each) and were mated with stud males. The reproductive performance of young rats were highest when PMSG and hCG at doses of 25 IU/kg each were injected (delivery rate 87.5%, nursing rate 92.9%). In Experiment 2, female rats were injected with PMSG and hCG (100, 150 and 300 IU/kg each) to induce superovulation. More eggs were recovered from the rats injected with PMSG and hCG at 150 and 300 IU/kg than from those treated with 100 IU/kg (33.4 and 41.3 vs. 13.3 eggs per female, respectively; p < 0.05). In Experiment 3, pronuclear-stage zygotes from 150 IU/kg PMSG/hCG-treated rats were used for microinjection of the fusion gene of bovine alpha S1-casein gene promoter and human growth hormone gene (2.8 kb), and the microinjected zygotes were transferred into the oviduct ampullae of the 25 IU/kg PMSG/hCG-treated rats. Seventeen transgenic rats were obtained from the 334 DNA-injected zygotes (5.1%). These results indicate that recipients and embryo donors for the production of transgenic rats can be prepared by the appropriate PMSG and hCG treatments of young SD rats, regardless of their estrus stages.     

激肽释放酶转基因大鼠模型的建立

目的建立KLK1转基因大鼠模型。方法腹腔注射PMSG-HCG（150-150IU/kg）超排不同周龄（4-8周）SD大鼠比较超排效果的差异,以可用于注射胚胎数作为评判标准确定最佳超排周龄。构建pBC-klk1转基因构件,经酶切、纯化后通过显微注射方法导入SD大鼠受精卵原核并移植到同期受孕的SD受体母鼠输卵管内。出生后仔鼠用PCR和Southern方法检测鼠尾DNA鉴定基因型,通过RT-PCR和免疫组化方法检测klk1基因表达。结果4-8周SD大鼠超排后分别获得受精卵14±14.8、30±15.2、13.3±13.7、13±14.7、8±5.7,5周龄大鼠超排效果最好,与其他周龄大鼠相比有显差异,P〈0.05;显微注射1538枚卵,移植685（44.53%）枚卵于31只受体输卵管中,12（12/31,38.7%）只怀孕,共产仔62只,经PCR检测获得6只阳性鼠,Southern检测3只阳性。对Southern检测阳性转基因大鼠子代进行RT-PCR检测和免疫组化分析证明klk1基因在肾脏、胰腺和乳腺内表达。结论成功建立klk1基因表达的转基因大鼠模型,该模型是高血压病研究的理想动物模型。     

Efficient mammalian germline transgenesis by cis-enhanced <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sleeping Beauty</Emphasis> transposition

Heightened interest in relevant models for human disease increases the need for improved methods for germline transgenesis. We describe a significant improvement in the creation of transgenic laboratory mice and rats by chemical modification of Sleeping Beauty transposons. Germline transgenesis in mice and rats was significantly enhanced by in vitro cytosine-phosphodiester-guanine methylation of transposons prior to injection. Heritability of transgene alleles was also greater from founder mice generated with methylated versus non-methylated transposon. The artificial methylation was reprogrammed in the early embryo, leading to founders that express the transgenes. We also noted differences in transgene insertion number and structure (single-insert versus concatemer) based on the influence of methylation and plasmid conformation (linear versus supercoiled), with supercoiled substrate resulting in efficient transpositional transgenesis (TnT) with near elimination of concatemer insertion. Combined, these substrate modifications resulted in increases in both the frequency of transgenic founders and the number of transgenes per founder, significantly elevating the number of potential transgenic lines. Given its simplicity, versatility and high efficiency, TnT with enhanced Sleeping Beauty components represents a compelling non-viral approach to modifying the mammalian germline.     

Transgene expression in zebrafish: A comparison of retroviral-vector and DNA-injection approaches.

To assess alternative methods for introducing expressing transgenes into the germ line of zebrafish, transgenic fish that express a nuclear-targeted, enhanced, green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene were produced using both pseudotyped retroviral vector infection and DNA microinjection of embryos. Germ-line transgenic founders were identified and the embryonic progeny of these founders were evaluated for the extent and pattern of eGFP expression. To compare the two modes of transgenesis, both vectors used the Xenopus translational elongation factor 1-alpha enhancer/promoter regulatory cassette. Several transgenic founder fish which transferred eGFP expression to their progeny were identified. The gene expression patterns are described and compared for the two modes of gene transfer. Transient expression of eGFP was detected 1 day after introducing the transgenes via either DNA microinjection or retroviral vector infection. In both cases of gene transfer, transgenic females produced eGFP-positive progeny even before the zygotic genome was turned on. Therefore, GFP was being provided by the oocyte before fertilization. A transgenic female revealed eGFP expression in her ovarian follicles. The qualitative patterns of gene expression in the transgenic progeny embryos after zygotic induction of gene expression were similar and independent of the mode of transgenesis. The appearance of newly synthesized GFP is detectable within 5-7 h after fertilization. The variability of the extent of eGFP expression from transgenic founder to transgenic founder was wider for the DNA-injection transgenics than for the retroviral vector-produced transgenics. The ability to provide expressing germ-line transgenic progeny via retroviral vector infection provides both an alternative mode of transgenesis for zebrafish work and a possible means of easily assessing the insertional mutagenesis frequency of retroviral vector infection of zebrafish embryos. However, because of the transfer of GFP from oocyte to embryo, the stability of GFP may create problems of analysis in embryos which develop as quickly as those of zebrafish.     

Comparison between PMSG- and FSH-induced superovulation for the generation of transgenic rats

Superovulation protocols using single injections of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or minipumps with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were compared in immature Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We used the following criteria: total number of ova, rate of fertilization, in vitro embryo development, sensitivity of zygotes to the microinjection of foreign DNA into the pronucleus, and their in-vivo development after transplantation into the oviduct of a recipient. Female SD rats were stimulated with 15 IU PMSG or 10 mg FSH followed by the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at doses of 20 and 30 IU per female. After hCG administration, they were mated with males of the same strain and sacrificed on day 1 of pregnancy. The percentage of mated animals and the fertilization rate was similar in all groups. In rats given PMSG, the number of ovulated zygotes was hCG dose-dependent. In contrast, the dose of hCG did not influence the efficiency of superovulation in rats given FSH, which was equal to PMSG-treated rats at the optimal dose of hCG. The rates of in vitro blastocyst development (31.4 and 23.3%) and the resistance to microinjection into the pronucleus did also not differ significantly between zygotes of both studied groups. The proportion of offspring developing from microinjected zygotes after oviduct transfer (26.2 and 26.8%, respectively) and the rate of transgene integration per newborns (7.3 and 4.9%, respectively) was similar in both experimental groups. The results of this study demonstrate that superovulation of immature SD rats by PMSG is equally effective as FSH treatment and, thus, preferable for transgenic rat technology due to the lower costs and easier handling.     

钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白转基因小鼠的构建和鉴定

目的：将人的钙蛋白酶抑制蛋白（ calpastatin, CAST）外源基因整合到C57BL/6J小鼠中,构建高表达CAST的转基因小鼠模型。方法利用Gateway技术构建pRP．EX3d-EF1A-CAST-IRES-eGFP载体,回收片段后通过显微注射法将目的基因片段注入到C57 BL/6 J小鼠受精卵中,将其胚胎移植至同期发情的假孕受体母鼠输卵管内获得子代小鼠。采用PCR方法鉴定出阳性的转基因小鼠,确定首建鼠,通过与C57BL/6J小鼠回交后互交数代建系。利用RT-PCR和Western blotting方法检测CAST基因和蛋白在各组织中的表达情况。结果将90枚注射受精卵移植到3只假孕鼠中,3只均怀孕,移植成功率100％,产下23只子鼠,经PCR鉴定得到2只转基因阳性首建鼠,阳性率为9％。子代小鼠进行RT-PCR检查显示,CAST基因在转基因小鼠的心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑和骨骼肌中均有表达;Western blotting检查显示,CAST蛋白表达在转基因小鼠中显著高于同窝阴性小鼠。结论通过显微注射法成功构建CAST高表达的转基因小鼠,为进一步研究CAST奠定了良好的模型基础。     

Generating transgenic mice from bacterial artificial chromosomes: transgenesis efficiency, integration and expression outcomes

Transgenic mice are widely used in biomedical research to study gene expression, developmental biology, and gene therapy models. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenes direct gene expression at physiological levels with the same developmental timing and expression patterns as endogenous genes in transgenic animal models. We generated 707 transgenic founders from 86 BAC transgenes purified by three different methods. Transgenesis efficiency was the same for all BAC DNA purification methods. Polyamine microinjection buffer was essential for successful integration of intact BAC transgenes. There was no correlation between BAC size and transgenic rate, birth rate, or transgenic efficiency. A narrow DNA concentration range generated the best transgenic efficiency. High DNA concentrations reduced birth rates while very low concentrations resulted in higher birth rates and lower transgenic efficiency. Founders with complete BAC integrations were observed in all 47 BACs for which multiple markers were tested. Additional founders with BAC fragment integrations were observed for 65% of these BACs. Expression data was available for 79 BAC transgenes and expression was observed in transgenic founders from 63 BACs (80%). Consistent and reproducible success in BAC transgenesis required the combination of careful DNA purification, the use of polyamine buffer, and sensitive genotyping assays.     

慢病毒载体法制备红色荧光蛋白转基因小鼠

目的利用慢病毒介导的转基因方法制备红色荧光蛋白（mRFP）转基因小鼠,并建立转基因小鼠的技术平台。方法将携带mRFP基因的慢病毒注入ICR鼠单细胞受精卵卵周隙以感染受精卵,胚胎移植进假孕母鼠以获得仔代鼠,然后应用小动物活体成像仪、体视荧光显微镜和PCR等鉴定并获得mRFP转基因鼠。结果移植卵周隙注射有慢病毒的胚胎40枚给2只假孕母鼠,共获得仔鼠6只;利用体视荧光显微镜检测mRFP表达,在蛋白水平证实6只F0代中,2只（R3和R4）鼠耳高表达mRFP,其余的弱表达mRFP（R1、R2和R5）或荧光强度（R6）与野生型ICR鼠无明显差别,而DNA水平检测证实,6只F0代中,5只（R1、R2、R3、R4和R5）基因组中整合有外源转基因hUb-mRFP,预示基因型鉴定结果很好验证了体视荧光显微镜鉴定结果。此外,mRFP转基因首建鼠基因组中整合的mRFP基因可稳定遗传和表达。结论建立了慢病毒法快速制备转基因小鼠的技术平台,这为针对不同基因建立相应转基因小鼠以实现恒定或条件性的转基因过表达或RNA干涉（RNAi）,并进而在体内解析相应基因功能和建立人类疾病模型等奠定了坚实基础。     

Strain-Dependent Differences in the Efficiency of Transgenic Mouse Production

Transgenic mouse production via pronuclear microinjection is a complex process consisting of a number of sequential steps. Many different factors contribute to the effectiveness of each step and thus influence the overall efficiency of transgenic mouse production. The response of egg donor females to superovulation, the fertilization rate, egg survival after injection, ability of manipulated embryos to implant and develop to term, and concentration and purity of the injected DNA all contribute to transgenic production efficiency. We evaluated and compared the efficiency of transgenic mouse production using four different egg donor mouse strains: B6D2/F1 hybrids, Swiss Webster (SW) outbred, and inbred FVB/N and C57BL/6. The data included experiments involving 350 DNA transgene constructs performed by a high capacity core transgenic mouse facility. Significant influences of particular genetic backgrounds on the efficiency of different steps of the production process were found. Except for egg production, FVB/N mice consistently produced the highest efficiency of transgenic mouse production at each step of the process. B6D2/F2 hybrid eggs are also quite efficient, but lyze more frequently than FVB/N eggs after DNA microinjection. SW eggs on the other hand block at the 1-cell stage more often than eggs from the other strains. Finally, using C57BL/6 eggs the main limiting factor is that the fetuses derived from injected eggs do not develop to term as often as the other strains. Based on our studies, the procedure for transgenic mouse production can be modified for each egg donor strain in order to overcome any deficiencies, and thus to increase the overall efficiency of transgenic mouse production.     

Selection for mutations in the cDNAs of transgenic mice upon expression of an embryonic lethal protein

The generation of transgenic mouse models to study in vivo functions of specific proteins has become common practice. In addition, PCR technology allows efficient and rapid identification of founder mice by the analysis of tail tip DNA. Whilst the DNA construct used in the microinjection of one-cell-stage embryos is usually sequenced it is not common practice to sequence the PCR product once the transgene has been inserted into the mouse genome. In this report we describe why sequencing of inserted transgenes is important. Upon generation of transgenic mice expressing a splice variant of MDM2, MDM2-A, three of four founders contained mutations within the Mdm2-a cDNA sequence. The observation that selection against expression of wild-type MDM2-A resulted in the generation of mice expressing mutant transgenes highlights the importance of sequencing the transgenes of founder mice.     

Factors affecting production of transgenic rats by ICSI-mediated DNA transfer: effects of sonication and freeze-thawing of spermatozoa, rat strains for sperm and oocyte donors, and different constructs of exogenous DNA

Factors affecting the efficiency of producing transgenic rats by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-mediated DNA transfer were investigated. Epididymal spermatozoa from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were sonicated and/or frozen-thawed for cutting the tail and membrane disruption. The sperm heads were exposed for 1 min to different concentrations (0.02-2.5 microg/ml) of 3.0 kb enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) DNA solution, and then microinjected into the denuded F1 hybrid (Donryu x LEW) rat oocytes. The optimal concentration of EGFP DNA solution was 0.1 microg/ml, as determined by the in vitro developmental competence into morulae/blastocysts of the ICSI oocytes and the EGFP expression of the resultant embryos. The efficiency of producing transgenic rat offspring (per transferred zygote) was 2.8%, 1.6%, and 3.3% in the oocytes injected with sonicated, frozen-thawed, and sonicated + frozen-thawed sperm heads, respectively. The founder transgenic rats carrying the EGFP gene transmitted their transgenes to their progeny according to the Mendelian fashion, suggesting the stable incorporation of the transgenes into the rat genomes. Four rat strains (F344, LEW, Donryu, and SD) were compared for their suitability as sperm/oocyte donors for the production of transgenic rats by ICSI with sonicated, frozen-thawed and solution of EGFP DNA-exposed sperm heads. The efficiency of producing transgenic rats in the SD strain (8.2%) was higher than that in the LEW strain (0.9%), while those in the F344 and Donryu strains (4.3%-4.4%) were intermediate. One plasmid DNA (Fyn, 5.0 kb) and two BAC DNA (BAC/Fyn, 208 kb; Svet1/IRES-Cre, 186 kb) were successfully introduced into the SD rat genomes via ICSI, with the producing efficiencies of 2.8%, 0.9%, and 2.4%, respectively.     

The Meganuclease I-SceI Containing Nuclear Localization Signal (NLS-I-SceI) Efficiently Mediated Mammalian Germline Transgenesis via Embryo Cytoplasmic Microinjection

The meganuclease I-SceI has been effectively used to facilitate transgenesis in fish eggs for nearly a decade. I-SceI-mediated transgenesis is simply via embryo cytoplasmic microinjection and only involves plasmid vectors containing I-SceI recognition sequences, therefore regarding the transgenesis process and application of resulted transgenic organisms, I-SceI-mediated transgenesis is of minimal bio-safety concerns. However, currently no transgenic mammals derived from I-SceI-mediated transgenesis have been reported. In this work, we found that the native I-SceI molecule was not capable of facilitating transgenesis in mammalian embryos via cytoplasmic microinjection as it did in fish eggs. In contrast, the I-SceI molecule containing mammalian nuclear localization signal (NLS-I-SceI) was shown to be capable of transferring DNA fragments from cytoplasm into nuclear in porcine embryos, and cytoplasmic microinjection with NLS-I-SceI mRNA and circular I-SceI recognition sequence-containing transgene plasmids resulted in transgene expression in both mouse and porcine embryos. Besides, transfer of the cytoplasmically microinjected mouse and porcine embryos into synchronized recipient females both efficiently resulted in transgenic founders with germline transmission competence. These results provided a novel method to facilitate mammalian transgenesis using I-SceI, and using the NLS-I-SceI molecule, a simple, efficient and species-neutral transgenesis technology based on embryo cytoplasmic microinjection with minimal bio-safety concerns can be established for mammalian species. As far as we know, this is the first report for transgenic mammals derived from I-SceI-mediated transgenesis via embryo cytoplasmic microinjection.     

携带HLA-B2704基因转基因小鼠技术的建立

应用显微注射法制备携带HLA B2 70 4基因的转基因小鼠 .对 2 86只昆明小鼠激素注射进行超排卵 ,采集受精卵 ,将含HLA B2 70 4基因的基因组DNA片段 (简称HLA B2 70 4DNA)显微注射到受精卵原核内 ,把注射存活的两细胞期受精卵移入假孕鼠的输卵管内使其发育产生后代 .用PCR方法进行F0代仔鼠及F1代仔鼠的转基因整合的检测 .利用RT PCR检测阳性鼠中的HLA B2 70 4转基因的表达 .采集了 84 11个卵 ,可注射卵 6 6 0 9个 ,其中注射存活的两细胞期受精卵 4 2 77个 ,卵的注射存活率为 6 4 7%.将卵移入 15 3只假孕鼠 ,其中 2 6只怀孕产仔 ,存活 10 1只 .在 10只F0代仔鼠基因组中有HLA B2 70 4基因整合 ,整合率为 9 9%.转基因阳性鼠F0代之间以及与正常鼠之间进行交配 ,产生的F1代仔鼠 78只 ,其中 15只为阳性 .阳性鼠的皮肤、结肠、睾丸和脾脏组织中均有HLA B2 70 4转基因mRNA的表达 .在HLA B2 70 4转基因阳性小鼠中 ,6只小鼠皮肤出现脱毛 ,1只小鼠的足部及足趾明显红肿 ,2只在脱毛同时明显畏光 ,1只出现腹泻 .结果表明 ,成功地建立了HLA B2 70 4的转基因小鼠技术 ,该小鼠类似强直性脊柱炎的小鼠模型 .     

TNNI2突变转基因小鼠模型的建立

目的建立TNNI2突变转基因小鼠模型。方法构建pEGFP-tnni2转基因构件,TNNI2基因的第175个氨基酸缺失,通过原核显微注射法。把线性化、纯化后的外源基因pEGFP-tnni2注射入BDF1小鼠受精卵中。胚胎移植给同期发情的假孕受体母鼠,获得子代小鼠。用PCR和Southern方法检测子代鼠尾DNA鉴定基因型。通过RT-PCR方法检测tnni2基因表达。结果移植注射胚胎115枚给4只假孕小鼠共出生了23只后代鼠。经PCR和Southern方法检测得到4只阳性小鼠。对其子代进行RT-PCR检测,tnni2基因在肌肉、心脏内表达。结论通过显微注射法使外源基因pEGFP-tnni2（TNNI2基因的第175个氨基酸缺失）在小鼠基因组中得到整合,建立了转pEGFP-tnni2的转基因小鼠模型。     

Strain Differences in Superovulatory Response, Embryo Development and Efficiency of Transgenic Rat Production

The differences between rat strains in superovulation response, in vitro and in vivo development of preimplantation embryos and overall transgenic efficiency was studied. The protocols for induction of superovulation using single injections of pregnant mare’s serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or minipumps with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were compared in Lewis (LEW), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) or Sprague–Dawley (SD) and Wistar rats as representative inbred or outbred strains, respectively. The percentage of mated animals with positive superovulatory response was similar in all strains (60.0–100%). The mean number of ova per donor was not dependent on the kind of hormonal treatment used within each rat strain. In general, females from outbred SD and Wistar rats were more responsive to hormonal treatments than animals from inbred rat strains. In addition, SD female rats produced a significantly higher number of embryos per female in response to PMSG-treatment compared to all other strains. Between the inbred strains, SHRSP was the most effective for superovulation. In vitro development of intact zygotes to the blastocyst stage was not different between SD, Wistar and SHRSP rats. In contrast, in vitro development of WKY zygotes was significantly less efficient than in other strains. However, 2-cell stage embryos in vivo produced from SD, SD × Wistar and WKY animals showed no difference in competence to develop to blastocyst stage in vitro. The proportion of offspring developing after oviduct transfer of intact zygotes was similar in all strains (44.0–56.4%) with the exception of WKY rats (35.9%). We also compared the survival rate after injection, ability of manipulated zygotes to develop to term and overall transgenic efficiency in various rat strains. SD and SHRSP zygotes survived after microinjection better than the WKY and Lewis zygotes. No differences were found in the efficiency of transgene integration per newborn in different strains ranging from 5.7 to 16.7%. The results of this study demonstrate that different rat strains have varying responses to superovulation, sensitivity to microinjection, capability to develop in vitro until blastocyst stage or in vivo to term after transfer to foster mothers. Despite these differences all studied strains can be used for efficient transgenic rat production.     

牛乳铁蛋白肽转基因小鼠的构建

目的:探讨牛乳铁蛋白肽在转基因鼠乳汁中的表达及其抑菌活性。方法:将实验室构建并保存的包含山羊β-酪蛋白基因启动子和牛乳铁蛋白肽基因的乳腺特异表达载体PI-bcp-LfcinB,用Xho I和Nru I双酶切,得到含有全部表达盒的显微注射DNA片段,采用常规显微注射技术获得转基因小鼠。并通过对泌乳期转基因雌鼠乳腺组织的RT-PCR检测,确定了牛乳铁蛋白肽在mRNA水平的表达,同时利用琼脂板扩散法检测了转基因鼠乳汁中表达产物的抑菌活性。结果:获得了牛乳铁蛋白肽转基因小鼠,且转基因小鼠乳汁中能够表达具有抑菌活性的牛乳铁蛋白肽。结论:通过转基因动物乳腺可以获得具有生物活性的牛乳铁蛋白肽,为进一步研究抗菌肽转基因牛、培育抗乳房炎奶牛新品种以及通过建立转基因动物生物反应器进行抗菌肽的大量生产奠定了基础。     

Efficient collection and cryopreservation of embryos in F344 strain inbred rats

In rats, it is now possible to produce genetically engineered strains, not only as transgenic animals but also using gene knockout techniques. Reproductive technologies have been used as indispensable tools to produce and maintain these novel valuable strains. Although studies for collecting and cryopreserving embryos have been reported using outbred rats, efficient methods have not been established in inbred strains. The F344 inbred strain is important in rat breeding and has been used for the production of transgenic/knockout strains and for genome sequencing. Here we studied the optimal conditions for oocyte collection by induction of superovulation, and the development of embryos after cryopreservation in F344 rats. The response to pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was examined by injection of 150 IU/kg PMSG + 75 IU/kg hCG or 300 IU/kg PMSG + 300 IU/kg hCG. Superovulation was achieved at high efficiency by an injection of 150 IU/kg PMSG + 75 IU/kg hCG. Furthermore, superovulation in this strain showed similar high response as Wistar rats. Of 2-cell embryos cryopreserved by vitrification in a solution containing 10% propylene glycol, 30% ethylene glycol, 20% Percoll and 0.3 M sucrose, more than 90% survived after warming and 32% developed to offspring. However, the freezability of pronuclear stage embryos was extremely low. This study demonstrated that sufficient unfertilized oocytes and embryos can be collected from F344 rats by the induction of superovulation with 150 IU/kg PMSG + 75 IU/kg hCG. Furthermore, cryopreservation of 2-cell embryos using this vitrification protocol can now be applied to maintaining valuable rat strains derived from the F344 inbred strain as genetic resources.     

Production of transgenic mice

A “transgenic” mouse is identified by the integration of a foreign DNA into its genome. Such animals serve as experimental systems for the study of gene expression and are often generated as models for human diseases. Direct microinjection of DNA into the male pronucleus of a mouse zygote has been the method most extensively used in the production of transgenic mice. Our method is subdivided into three sections: First, Preinjection, where the animals, the donor eggs, and the injection tools are presented. Second, Injection, where the egg handling and micromanipulation is described. Third, Postinjection, where the surgical transfer into pseudopregnant females completes the procedural sequence. Additional sections are provided to include the materials we use and to offer a series of technical tips that cover various aspects of the transgenic process.     

提高制备转基因小鼠效率的研究

目的提高制备转基因动物的效率.方法着重对注射DNA的制备,高质量受精卵的获得,显微注射及胚胎移植各步骤中的主要影响因素进行了优化.结果移植后出生的小鼠经PCR及Sonthern-Blot检测,从最初的146只仔鼠中检测到2只阳性鼠,提高到由34只仔鼠中检测到10只阳性鼠,阳性鼠概率由1.4%基本稳定增加到30%.结论通过技术改良后,转基因效率得到明显提高,为从事转基因动物方面的研究建立了稳定的技术平台.     

Evaluation of systems for collection of porcine zygotes for DNA microinjection and transfer

Crossbred gilts and sows (n=116) were used for the collection of 1-cell zygotes for DNA microinjection and transfer. Retrospectively, estrus synchronization and superovulation schemes were evaluated to assess practicality for zygote collection. Four synchronization and superovulation procedures were used: 1) sows were observed for natural estrous behavior; 1000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) was administered at the onset of estrus (NAT); 2) cyclic gilts were synchronized with 17.6 mg altrenogest (ALT)/day for 15 to 19 days followed by superovulation with 1500 IU pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 500 IU hCG (LALT); 3) gilts between 11 and 16 days of the estrous cycle received 17.6 mg ALT for 5 to 9 days and PMSG and hCG were used to induce superovulation (SALT); and 4) precocious ovulation was induced in prepubertal gilts with PMSG and hCG (PRE). A total of 505 DNA microinjected embryos transferred into 17 recipients produced 7 litters and 50 piglets, of which 8 were transgenic. The NAT sows had less (P < 0.05) ovarian activity than gilts synchronized and superovulated by all the other procedures. Synchronization treatments with PMSG did not differ (P > 0.05) in the number of corpora hemorrhagica or unovulated follicles, but SALT and PRE treaments had higher ovulation rates than LALT (24.7 +/- 2.9, 24.3 +/- 1.8 vs 11.6 +/- 2.7 ovulations; X +/- SEM). The SALT and PRE treatments yielded 12.3 +/- 2.6 and 17.7 +/- 1.7 zygotes. Successful transgenesis was accomplished with SALT and PRE procedures for estrus synchronization and superovulation.