Author
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Zuelke, Kurt |
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Submitted to: National Hog Farmer
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The most significant finding of this research is the successful application of the new technique Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) to simultaneously discover and identify over 200 potential genes that are expressed at significantly different levels between Day 11 and Day 12 stage porcine embryos. The interval between D11 and D12 is highly susceptible to early embryonic loss in swine and identifying genes that are switched on and off during this interval is a critical step in developing new tools and strategies for decreasing embryonic mortality in swine. These results represent the first successful application of SAGE in livestock embryo research and are a first step in identifying the genes that are potentially critical for early porcine embryo development. The most important impact for pork producers: The most important potential impacts for pork producers could be decreased early mortality and increased efficiency of producing swine embryos in vitro enabling new options for breeding programs (see potential cost benefits below). The potential cost benefit: The potential costs benefits to producers could be realized in decreased early embryonic mortality (ie. reflected as more pigs per litter). An additional potential cost benefit could be increased rates of genetic gain through more extensive integration of maternal genetics into breeding programs made possible by improved and more efficient methods for producing swine embryos in vitro. |
