Blastocyst formation, embryo transfer and breed comparison in the first reported large scale cloning of camels

P O Olsson,Y W Jeong,A H Tinson,Y B Son,Y Jeong,S Kim,R Singh,E J Choi,X Yu,N Al Shamsi,W S Hwang,K Sakaguchi,L Cai,K S Kuhad

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-92465-9

P O Olsson, Y W Jeong + Show 12 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92465-9

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Abstract

Cloning, through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), has the potential for a large expansion of genetically favorable traits in a population in a relatively short term. In the present study we aimed to produce multiple cloned camels from racing, show and dairy exemplars. We compared several parameters including oocyte source, donor cell and breed differences, transfer methods, embryo formation and pregnancy rates and maintenance following SCNT. We successfully achieved 47 pregnancies, 28 births and 19 cloned offspring who are at present healthy and have developed normally. Here we report cloned camels from surgical embryo transfer and correlate blastocyst formation rates with the ability to achieve pregnancies. We found no difference in the parameters affecting production of clones by camel breed, and show clear differences on oocyte source in cloning outcomes. Taken together we demonstrate that large scale cloning of camels is possible and that further improvements can be achieved.

Highlights

Cloning, through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), has the potential for a large expansion of genetically favorable traits in a population in a relatively short term
Three dairy and three show (Beauty), camels were selected with all but two of the eleven beauty camels being female. The objective of this manuscript is to report on the methods and results of a large scale camel cloning attempt and the differences between embryo development, transfer methods, camel breeds and the production of cloned offspring
Oocytes were recovered from approximately 50% of transvaginal ultrasound guided ovum pick up (OPU) and 70% from surgical OPU specific annotated values were not directly comparable

Summary

Introduction

Through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), has the potential for a large expansion of genetically favorable traits in a population in a relatively short term. We compared several parameters including oocyte source, donor cell and breed differences, transfer methods, embryo formation and pregnancy rates and maintenance following SCNT. Three dairy and three show (Beauty), camels were selected with all but two of the eleven beauty camels being female The objective of this manuscript is to report on the methods and results of a large scale camel cloning attempt and the differences between embryo development, transfer methods, camel breeds and the production of cloned offspring. Wani et al later produced a Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) clone through interspecies nuclear transfer using a Dromedary camel as both oocyte donor and surrogate[3,8]. We investigate potential large scale cloning of three different Dromedary breeds: racing, beauty, and dairy. This report is the first known report on the large scale cloning of camels and, to our knowledge, report of surgical embryo transfers in old-world camels comparing cloning of the three basic Dromedary breeds

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