Equine cloning: applications and outcomes
Dirk K. Vanderwall A G , Gordon L. Woods A , Janet F. Roser B , Donald H. Schlafer C , Debra C. Sellon D , David F. Tester E and Kenneth L. White FA Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Animal and Veterinary Science and Center for Reproductive Biology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
B Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
C Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
D Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
E Prairie Animal Hospital, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, USA.
F Center for Developmental and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology Center, Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
G Corresponding author. Email: dirkv@uidaho.edu
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 18(2) 91-98 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD05130
Submitted: 3 October 2005 Accepted: 3 October 2005 Published: 14 December 2005
Abstract
Cloning is one of several new assisted reproductive techniques being developed for clinical use in the equine industry. Potential uses of equine cloning include: (1) the preservation of genetics from individual animals that would otherwise not be able to reproduce, such as geldings; (2) the preservation of genetic material of endangered and/or exotic species, such as the Mongolian wild horse (Przewalski’s horse); and (3) because of the companion animal role that horses fill for some individuals, it is likely that some horse owners will have individual animals cloned for emotional fulfillment. Although equine cloning has been successful, like other species, it remains a very inefficient process (<3% success). In most species, the inefficiency of cloning results from a high incidence of embryonic, fetal and/or placental developmental abnormalities that contribute to extremely high rates of embryonic loss, abortion and stillbirths throughout gestation and compromised neonatal health after birth. The present review describes some of the ultrasonographic, endocrinological and histopathological characteristics of successful (produced viable offspring) and unsuccessful (resulted in pregnancy failure) cloned equine (mule and horse) pregnancies we have produced. A total of 21 cloned mule pregnancies were established using fetal fibroblast cells, whereas a total of seven cloned horse pregnancies were established using adult cumulus cells. Three of the cloned mule conceptuses were carried to term, resulting in the birth of three healthy clones. This information adds to an accumulating body of knowledge about the outcome of cloned equine pregnancies, which will help to establish when, and perhaps why, many cloned equine pregnancies fail.
Acknowledgments
The authors’ work reported herein was supported by the Idaho Equine Education Bill and by D. W. Jacklin and the Jacklin Family Foundation, Inc. The authors thank Jennifer Dodge and Lillian Sibley for technical assistance.
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