Laparoscopy vs. laparotomy for embryo transfer to produce transgenic goats (Capra hircus)

This study was performed to produce transgenic Korean native goat (Capra hircus) by laparoscopic embryo transfer (ET) to overcome the limitations of ET performed by laparotomy. Transgenic embryos were produced by DNA pronuclear microinjection of in vivo zygotes. The recipient goats were synchronized for estrus by using an introvaginal progesterone devices as a controlled internal drugreleasing insert (CIDR) for 13 days and injection of 400 IU PMSG 48 h before removal of the insert. Embryos were transferred on day 3 and 4 after removal of the insert. Recipient goats were deprived of feed for 48 h, then suspended in a laparotomy cradle at an angle of 45degrees. After obtaining a sufficient pneumoperitoneum, the laparoscope and forceps were inserted abdominally through 5 mm trocar sleeves. Examination of the ovaries and uterus was performed and then 213 embryos were transferred into the oviducts via the infundibula of 76 recipient goats. To compare pregnancy rates, ET was also performed by laparotomy in 82 recipient goats. The pregnancies in the recipient goats were diagnosed by ultrasound on day 30 after embryo transfer. The pregnancy rate with laparoscopic ET was significantly higher than with ET performed by laparotomy (46.1% vs. 28.6%, p < 0.05). In addition, the pregnancy rates were compared between ovulated and non-ovulated ovaries of the recipient goats in the laparoscopic ET group. No significant difference was observed between the pregnancy rates of ovulated and non-ovulated ovaries (41.3% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.05) suggesting that ET may also be possible in non-ovulated recipients through artificial rupture of Graafian follicles. These results suggest that laparoscopic ET is a highly efficient method for the transfer of goat embryos.

Morphological Study of GFAP Immunoreactive Cells on Fetuses and Neonate Mesencephalon of Korean Native Goat / 대한해부학회지

GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) was one of the intermediate filament group and used as an astrocyte marker. The numerous studies about GFAP immunoreactive cell's distribution were investigated for fetus, neonate and aged brains. There are several reports about that GFAP immunoreactive cells were appeared at early fetus and after birth. In cases of mammalian fetus radial glia cells migrated toward pial surface at early stage and revealed GFAP immunoreactivity by the immunostain. But in cases of rodents, they migrated at late gestation or after birth. This study, the GFAP immunoreactive cells' localizations and distribution in the fetuses (the 30 th, 45 th, 60 th, 90 th, 105 th, 120 th of gestation) and neonate mesencephalon of korean native goat were investigated by immunohistoche-mistry (ABC method). The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings; 1. Multipolar astrocytes at 60 days of gestation were found in midbrain, in 90 days of gestation were found in cerebral aqueduct. 2. Radial glial cell presented 60 days of gestation and process of GFAP immunoreaction was to stretch out from ventricular to pia mater and nonpolar immunoreactive cell was transformed to bipolar, monopolar and multipolar immunoreactive cell. 3. The number of GFAP immunoreactive cells of field were gradually decreased from 90 days of gestation till 105 days of gestation. But in 120 days of gestation and newborn were slightly increased. 4. Immunoreactivity of GFAP immunoreactive cells were gradually decreased from 95 days of gestation till 120 days of gestatioin. These results were suggested that radial glial cell of midbrain developed very earlier than that of cerebral aqueduct. However, cerebral aqueduct developed lately than that of midbrain, but faster developing than other.