Restoration of Genetic Resources from Ehime Native Chicken via Transferred Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs)

Abstract

This experiment was designed to produce chimeric chicken by transferring primordial germ cells (PGCs) of Ehime native chicken embryos to White Leghorn ones. Fertilized eggs produced by both chicken breeds were incubated until stage 12-15 of embryonic development. The donor PGCs were taken out from blood vessel of Ehime native chicken embryos and injected into blood vessel of White Leghorn ones at the same stage. After the injection, the recipient eggs were incubated until hatching. Finally, three hatchlings including one male and two females were obtained. The birds survived to sexual maturity were used for progeny test to check chimerism. Of 29 offspring obtained by progeny test, 15 chicks showed feather color which was considered to be derived from Ehime native chicken. The present results suggest that the production of chimeric chicken by means of the transfer of PGCs may be able to restore genetic resources from endangered domestic chicken or some of the wild birds.

Keywords

• chimeras
• germ line
• primordial germ cell
• embryos