Production of mouse by inter-strain inner cell mass replacement

Zygote. 2005 Feb;13(1):73-7. doi: 10.1017/s0967199405003035.

Abstract

The developmental ability of reconstructed blastocysts from C57BL/6 strain mouse inner cell masses (ICMs) and Kunming strain mouse trophoblasts was assessed. The procedure of ICM replacement was as follows: C57BL/6 ICMs were separated from the blastocysts using immunosurgery. A slit was made in the zona pellucida of a Kunming blastocyst to allow its ICM to extrude. The C57BL/6 ICM was injected into the Kunming blastocoele, and the extruded Kunming ICM was cut off. The reconstructed blastocysts were able to re-expand (77%) and hatch (27.3%) in vitro. A total of 64 reconstructed blastocysts and 124 Kunming blastocysts were co-transferred into the uteri of 11 pseudopregnant Kunming mice, and an ICM replacement offspring was born. The results indicate that reconstructed embryos obtained by inter-strain ICM replacement have the ability to develop to term. This technique may provide a method to solve the pregnancy failure in interspecific cloning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst / cytology*
  • Blastocyst / physiology
  • Cloning, Organism / methods*
  • Embryo Transfer
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Microsurgery / methods
  • Pregnancy
  • Trophoblasts / cytology