Polymorphic distribution of the ovine prion protein (PrP) gene in scrapie-infected sheep flocks in which embryo transfer was used to circumvent the transmissions of scrapie.
The genetic sequence of the ovine prion protein (PrP) gene between codons 102 and 175 with emphasis on ovine PrP gene codons 136 and 171 was determined, and the polymorphic distribution of the ovine PrP gene in the scrapie-exposed Suffolk embryo donors and offspring from these donors that were transferred to scrapie-free recipient ewes was investigated in this study. The most common genotype was AA(136)QQ(171) (70% and 63% in the donor and offspring flocks, respectively), which is considered a high risk genotype in US Suffolk sheep. Although embryos were collected from scrapie-positive donors and many embryos had the high risk genotype, no scrapie occurred in the resulting offspring. Based upon the results of this study, we conclude that vertical transmission of scrapie can be circumvented using embryo transfer procedures even when the offspring have the high risk genotype.
Wang
Shiquan
S
Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan 84322-4815, USA.
Cockett
Noelle E
NE
Miller
Janice M
JM
Shay
Tracy L
TL
Maciulis
Alma
A
Sutton
Diane L
DL
Foote
Warren C
WC
Holyoak
Gilbert R
GR
Evans
Ronald C
RC
Bunc
Thomas D
TD
Beever
Jonathan E
JE
Call
Jay W
JW
Taylor
William D
WD
Marshall
Michael R
MR
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011328:Prions / Q000235:genetics*; D012608:Scrapie / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D012756:Sheep; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
D011328:Prions