Improve the birth rate of cloned mice

Research by scientists from the Japan Institute of Physicochemical Research shows that if a mutant gene on the X chromosome works, the birth rate of a somatic cloned mouse will decrease.

Conversely, if this gene loses its effect, the birth rate of a cloned rat increases.

Cloning of somatic cell in animals is a somatic cell nuclear transfer in the skin of an individual into an egg cell that has been removed from the cell nucleus, then transplanted embryos that were born into the nucleus. the bow of another maternal individual, and eventually producing cloned animals with the same genetic information with animals that provided somatic cells.

When analyzing the mouse embryo gene was cultured with cloning technology, scientists discovered on X chromosome (one of the sex chromosomes), the mutant Xist gene had developed use. Xist is a gene that inhibits the function of other genes.

Scientists deactivated the Xist gene in mice, then continued to use mouse somatic cells to culture cloned embryos. The results showed that the birth rate of cloned mice increased and increased 8 to 9 times compared to before.

Scientists say the future of this technology will be applied in the livestock sector.