Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CLONING DOGS AND CATS: WHERE DO WE STAND?

Margaret V. Root Kustritz, DVM, PhD, DACT University of Minnesota

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CLONING - Nuclear transfer Nucleus from a single cell from the donor is transferred into an oocyte that has had its DNA removed, the new oocyte fertilized and matured in vitro, and the subsequent embryo transferred into a recipient dam at the morula or blastocyst stage.

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CLONING - Nuclear transfer - Any donor cell can be used (skin biopsy from the ear)

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

After transfer of DNA, the single cell is stimulated to begin division

IVM = in vitro maturation Immature oocyte released Low E2 / P4 environment Cumulus cells must be present

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

SUCCESS RATES - Cats IVF and IVM - 50% development to the blastocyst stage

Cats have been cloned (“Copy Cat”)

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

SUCCESS RATES - Dogs IVF and IVM - 8-37% development to the blastocyst stage

One lab has produced cloned dogs.

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

“Snuppy” = Seoul National University+ puppy

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CONCERNS - Disease of cloned animals - Early senescence? - Increased stillbirths - Birth defects - Embryo wastage - Cat return rate 1.0% - Dog return rate 0.1%

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CONCERNS - Disease of cloned animals - Early senescence? - Increased stillbirths - Birth defects - Embryo wastage - Cat return rate 1.0% - Dog return rate 0.1%

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CONCERNS - Embryo wastage* - Cat return rate 1.0% - Dog return rate 0.1%

- Cattle return rate 11.0% - Mouse return rate 5.0% - Goat and sheep return rate 3.0%

* Using adult cell for donor nucleus

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CONCERNS - Expense - Public perception

“Little Nicky”

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

CONCERNS - Expense - Public perception

“Rainbow” and her clone, “Copy Cat”

Veterinary Medical CenterSFT-ACT 2008 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

COMMERCIAL AVAILABILITY - Projected cost = $50,000 / animal - Genetic Savings and Clone Website refers you to ViaGen – “Note that ViaGen has no plans to provide commercial dog or cat cloning services.”