title: Improvements in cloning efficiencies may be possible by increasing uniformity in recipient oocytes and donor cells.
abstract: The low efficiency of somatic cell cloning is the major obstacle to widespread use of this technology. Incomplete nuclear reprogramming following the transfer of donor nuclei into recipient oocytes has been implicated as a primary reason for the low efficiency of the cloning procedure. The mechanisms and factors that affect the progression of the nuclear reprogramming process have not been completely elucidated, but the identification of these factors and their subsequent manipulation would increase cloning efficiency. At present, many groups are studying donor nucleus reprogramming. Here, we present an approach in which the efficiency of producing viable offspring is improved by selecting recipient oocytes and donor cells that will produce cloned embryos with functionally reprogrammed nuclei. This approach will produce information useful in future studies aimed at further deciphering the nuclear reprogramming process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2771, USA.
authors.forename: Kazuchika
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.forename: S Jacek
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rzucidlo
authors.forename: Scott L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Stice
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000379:methods; D008677:Metaphase; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors