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Growth Rate of Transgenic Pigs and Size of Pig Hearts for Xenotransplantation to Cynomolgus Monkey

Authors :
Youngim Kim
Sun A Ock
Eung-Woo Park
Ik Jin Yun
Jungkyu Lee
Dae-Jin Kwon
Keon Bong Oh
Sun-Woung Moon
Seongsoo Hwang
Source :
Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, Vol 29, Iss 4, Pp 333-337 (2014)
Publication Year :
2014
Publisher :
The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology, 2014.

Abstract

To compensate for the critical shortage of human organs for allotransplantation, xenotransplantation studies using genetically modified pigs are being performed in Korea. Two types of pigs that are used are α1,3-galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GalT KO) pigs and GalT KO+hCD46 (human complement regulatory protein) pigs. The present study measured the gestation time, birth weight, daily growth rate, and heart weight of both kinds of transgenic minipigs. The gestation period for both types of pigs was 117∼119 days. There was no difference in the body weight of GalT KO (—/+) and GalT KO (—/—) piglets, but GalT KO+hCD46 (—hCD46+/+) pigs were significantly heavier at birth than were GalT KO+hCD46 (—hCD46+/—hCD46+) pigs. During the first 10 weeks of life, the daily weight gain of GalT KO+hCD46 (—hCD46+/—CD46+) piglets, which are considered the optimal type for xenotransplantation, was 0.19 kg. The weight of hearts from GalT KO piglets up to two months of age was affected more by body weight than by age. Transgenic pigs showed no differences in gestation period or reproductive ability compared with normal pigs. These results comprise basic data that may be used in xenotransplantation studies and transgenic animal production in Korea.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
26714663 and 26714639
Volume :
29
Issue :
4
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....9965be339e8bc39cd12dc425a127f246