Reproductive characteristics of transgenic (TG) chickens carrying an exogenous gene.

An exogenous gene (lacZ/MiwZ) introduced into the germinal crescent region (GCR) of avian embryos was confirmed to be successfully transferred to the gonads via the primordial germ cells (PGCs). Following hatching, the chicks were raised until the stage of sexual maturation. The incorporation of MiwZ DNA was detected in male and female transgenic chickens, respectively. The normal male and female transgenic birds were subjected to artificial insemination according to routine methods. Fertilized eggs obtained from female transgenic chickens were incubated for 72 h and the embryos removed from the yolk were examined by X-gal staining to detect the introduction of MiwZ in the offspring. As a result, the expression of MiwZ was detected in the offspring. Furthermore, the presence of MiwZ in the extracts from embryos was also detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. In male transgenic chickens, the presence of injected MiwZ in the extracts from sperm was also confirmed. The exogenous gene introduced into the GCR migrated successfully to the gonad resulting in its incorporation into the offspring and spermatozoa of transgenic chickens.