Interspecific Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Using Bovine (Bos taurus) Zona Pellucida-Free Oocytes and Deer (Mazama americana) Fibroblasts.

Abstract

Reproductive biotechnologies used in animals make it possible to increase species populations with high genetic value. Furthermore, these technologies aid in the conservation, preservation, and dissemination of genetic material from individuals with superior characteristics. The genetic rescue of selected individuals has led to numerous studies in domestic species aiming to extrapolate the findings to other animal populations or specific individuals. One such approach is through the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), or cloning, which is used to produce embryos with genetic material identical to that of an existing specimen. Among the limitations of this technique is the restricted availability of oocytes from wild animals. Thus, as an alternative, interspecific somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) emerged using a somatic cell (karyoplast) from the species to be cloned as a nuclear donor and its insertion into an enucleated oocyte (cytoplast) obtained from a species belonging to a different order or taxon. This approach makes it possible to obtain viable cloned embryos. In Brazil, there are nine species of deer, and many of them are endangered due to indiscriminate hunting, habitat loss, and other causes. The red brocket deer (Mazama americana) is one of the species suffering from these conditions. Therefore, this work presents a methodology for obtaining cloned embryos from red brocket deer using the iSCNT technique, in order to establish an embryo bank for subsequent transfer to recipient females and thereby help ensure the survival of the species.