Gene Expression in Blastocysts Following Direct Injection of DNA Into Testis

Abstract

Liposome-encapsulated plasmid pMT-neo/MT-β-gal DNA containing a neomycin resistance gene and a E. coli β-galactosidase gene was injected through a needle into mature mouse testes bilaterally 3 times at 4-day intervals. Eighty percent of blastocysts derived from eggs fertilized by spermatozoa of male mice injected with the DNA exhibited expression of β-galactosidase gene and the presence of pMT-neo/MT-β-gal DNA. Thus, direct injection of foreign DNA into the testis will provide a novel and convenient tool for production of transgenic animals.