Cloning of Buffalo, a Highly Valued Livestock Species of South and Southeast Asia: Any Achievements?
Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a major source of milk, meat, and draught power in many developing countries in Asia. Animal cloning holds a lot of potential for fast multiplication of elite buffaloes and conservation of their valuable germplasm. Although the progress of buffalo cloning has been slow in comparison to cattle or pig, several breakthroughs were reported in buffalo cloning such as the production of cloned calves from somatic cells isolated from over one-decade old frozen-thawed semen or from urine-derived cells. Since the initiation of buffalo cloning, several approaches have been tried to refine nuclear transfer protocols. This has resulted in increasing the blastocyst production rate and improving their quality leading to an increase in live birth rate. In this review, we discuss current developments in buffalo cloning, its challenges, and the future roadmap.
RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) blastocysts produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer and in vitro fertilization
Across farm animal species, the live birth rate obtained with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos is only <2% compared with >40% obtained with in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos, primarily due to incomplete nuclear reprogramming which results in aberrant embryonic gene expression. We used RNA sequencing to compare the global transcriptome profile of SCNT and IVF buffalo blastocysts. SCNT blastocysts expressed 17,061 transcripts, of which 941 were unique whereas, IVF blastocysts expressed 17,303 transcripts, of which 1,183 were unique. At ≥2‐folds change (p < .05), 331 transcripts were differentially expressed in the two groups among which, 19 were unique, 188 were downregulated and 143 were upregulated in SCNT compared with IVF blastocysts. Many genes affecting pluripotency, trophectoderm development, developmental regulation, and epigenetic modifications were upregulated in SCNT compared with IVF blastocysts. Among the four functional categories analyzed, epigenetic regulators were the most affected. Most of the WNT signaling pathway genes were upregulated whereas, the inhibitors of this pathway, such as DKK1, were downregulated in SCNT blastocysts, suggesting that this pathway is overexpressed in SCNT embryos. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that 25 biological processes, 20 molecular functions, and 24 cellular compartment categories were enriched in SCNT blastocysts. This data can help identify reprogramming errors for improving cloning efficiency.
China's experience on population control: The elusive model
Abstract After the Cultural Revolution China initiated a very intensive family planning programme. Although statistical data are not available, there is enough information to conclude that the custom of postponing marriage and planning births is gaining momentum. The new socio-economic environment is much more conducive to the acceptance of family planning by the young adults than was the case in previous campaigns. Contraceptives, abortions and sterilizations are free of charge and readily available through the extensive public health system. Most important to the success of the programme are the unique methods of motivation which involve virtually all segments of the society.