title: Infertility resulting from transgenic I-PpoI male Anopheles gambiae in large cage trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anopheles gambiae is the primary vector of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa and is a potential target of genetic control programs. We determined the capacity of male A. gambiae created by germline transformation to introduce infertility  into stable age-distribution populations. We also determined effects of the transgenes on life history.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stable age-distribution populations of A. gambiae mosquitoes were established in large indoor cages. Male mosquitoes carrying an I-PpoI homing endonuclease gene  were introduced at ×5 and ×10 release rates where they competed with target male mosquitoes for matings. Similar trials were conducted in small cages with an additional ×1 release level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infertility was successfully introduced into all target populations.  In supporting experiments, complete female infertility was observed in all strains and species of the A. gambiae complex to which transgenic males were mated. Life history experiments demonstrated that reductions in I-PpoI male vigor exist in the form of reduced adult male emergence,  longevity and competitiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A. gambiae I-PpoI males are capable of introducing high levels of infertility in target populations in indoor cage trials. This was accomplished despite losses of vigor resulting from the HEG transgene. These results motivate further  trials of sexually I-PpoI A. gambiae in outdoor cage and field trials.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London, UK.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Windbichler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deredec
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burt
authors.forename: M Q
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Benedict
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics; D000852:Anopheles / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal
chemical_list: D004706:Endodeoxyribonucleases; C064579:I-Ppo endonuclease