Veterinarians, scientists and researchers gathered
around a surrogate hound and watched her give birth to seven half-pound
puppies, the first dogs ever conceived in a test tube. Researchers have managed
to create a litter of puppies through vitro fertilization (IVP)
and they believe that their breakthrough could benefit dogs, their wild cousins
and even people. They are trying to make it possible to eliminate inherited
diseases in dogs with a combination of IVF and gene editing. Unfortunately for
some dogs, inbreeding has made such diseases a major issue in purebred dogs. As
an example, Golden retrievers are at high risk for lymphoma and Dalmatians have
a gene that puts them at risk for blockages from urinary stones. Alex Travis of
Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine stated “Since the
mis-1970s, people have been trying to do this in a dog and have been
unsuccessful. It was him and his colleagues that transferred nineteen embryos
to the host mother, who gave birth to seven healthy puppies. Two of the puppies
came from a beagle mother and a cocker spaniel father, and the other five came
from two beagle mother and father pairs.
Now the researchers say that they have made two very
significant changes in the IVF process to achieve fertilization rates of 80 to
90 percent. The findings of this study can also be used to help endangered
species of wolves and other wilds cousins of dogs and to help preserve rare
breeds of show and working dogs.
The investigators of the study even pointed out that
dogs and humans share hundred of similar genetic disorders. Dogs now offer a
powerful tool for understanding the genetic basis of diseases due to the
successful use of the IVF to create a litter of puppies. This could also lead
to potential models for human disease as well.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool. This could potentially eliminate all health issue with dogs. Definitely a cool option for the future.
ReplyDeleteThis article was interesting to find humans and dogs share a high percentage of DNA. The break through in IVP with animals could very well lead to gene editing and elimination of inherited diseases in humans. This was a very cool post.
ReplyDeleteThis is beneficial so that dogs can live a longer, healthier life without harming the puppies or having to be careful about breeding.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou have a real ability to write a content that is helpful for us. Thank you for your efforts in sharing such blogs to us. Maltese-poodle Maltipoo puppies for sale in Houston
ReplyDelete