The Application Of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Techniques In Sheep Farm

Due to the complicated process and expensive outcome of the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) techniques the applications of this technique is very limited. The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of large-scale sheep production of the excellent sheep individuals especially the stud rams by SCNT in a sheep farm. The indoor-feeding and pasturing sheep as recipients, estrus synchronization protocols, embryo shipment, perinatal management of the recipient ewes and care of the newborn lambs were investigated. Almost all of the procedures were conducted in the copartner sheep farm. The results showed that indoor-feeding sheep were more suitable for recipient ewes for cloned embryos and resulted in significantly higher pregnant rate than the pasturing sheep. Treatment of recipient ewes with the combination of vaginal suppository and PMSG induced over90%of the sheep entered estrus.The results also showed that embryo shipment affected embryo pregnancy. The intensive care of the recipient ewes during pregnancy and especially perinatal period are most important to increase cloning efficiency. These results suggest that a large-scale production of excellent sheep by SCNT in farm is feasible.