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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

State of the art in the production of transgenic goats

H. Baldassarre A C , B. Wang A , C. L. Keefer B , A. Lazaris A and C. N. Karatzas A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Nexia Biotechnologies Inc., 1000 Ave. St. Charles Block ‘B’, Dorion-Vaudreuil, Quebec J7V 8P5, Canada.

B Present address: Department of Animal & Avian Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2311, USA.

C To whom correspondence should be addressed. email: hbaldassarre@nexiabiotech.com

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 16(4) 465-470 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD04028
Accepted: 23 March 2004   Published: 6 July 2004

Abstract

This review summarises recent advances in the field of transgenic goats for the purpose of producing recombinant proteins in their milk. Production of transgenic goats via pronuclear microinjection of DNA expression vectors has been the traditional method, but this results in low efficiencies. Somatic cell nuclear transfer has dramatically improved efficiencies in rates of transgenesis. Characterisation of transfected cells in vitro before use in nuclear transfer guarantees that kids born are transgenic and of predetermined gender. Using these platform technologies, several recombinant proteins of commercial interest have been produced, although none of them has yet gained marketing approval. Before these technologies are implemented in goat improvement programmes, efficiencies must be improved, costs reduced, and regulatory approval obtained for the marketing of food products derived from such animals.

Extra keywords: nuclear transfer, pronuclear microinjection, recombinant proteins.


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