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

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.

The Resurrection of Mabrokan: Production of Multiple Cloned Offspring from Decade-Old Vitrified Tissue Collected from a Deceased Champion Show Camel

“…The mean live birth rate ranges from 6.45% to 16.67% in different groups. This cloning efficiency is comparable to that using cell lines established using live normal tissues [25][26][27]. We have reported to our earlier study that fibroblast cell lines established from vitrified tissues showed similar growth patterns, apoptosis rate, and mitochondrial metabolism with cells from fresh tissues [39].…”

“…In the present study, we have demonstrated that healthy cloned offspring could be obtained by nuclear transfer using donor nuclei obtained from decade-old vitrified tissues of a suddenly deceased champion show camel named Mabrokan. Generally, tissue biopsy is taken ante-mortem and cell lines are established and cryopreserved at their early passage for future use as a nuclear donor in the SCNT program [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Here, we established a primary fibroblast cell line from deceased and vitrified dermal tissues and produced 11 viable offspring from those somatic cells.…”

“…Since the production of the first SCNT-derived one-humped dromedary camel [ 25 ], several breeds or utility types of camels, including beauty, dairy, and racing camels, have been cloned for scientific and commercial purposes [ 26 ]. The two-humped Bactrian camel has also been produced by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer, using the dromedary camel as both the oocyte donor and surrogate [ 27 ].…”

“…For the SCNT procedure, cell lines are usually established from tissues collected by biopsy and systemically preserved for future use. Similarly, all previous reports on camel cloning have used cryopreserved somatic cells as a nuclear donor [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Case Report: Spontaneous Fetal Demises at Third Trimester of Pregnancy Due to a Double Lopped Nuchal Cord in Camelus dromedarius

“…A photograph of the transferred embryo is presented in Figure 1 . We have followed our standard laboratory procedure for collection of tissue from somatic cell donors, the establishment of fibroblast cell line, super stimulation of oocyte donor, synchronization of oocyte donor and recipient camels, embryo transfer, and pregnancy diagnosis ( 7 – 9 ). Pregnancy was confirmed 50 days after embryo transfer by ultrasonography ( Figure 2 ).…”