抄録
We investigated phenotypic differences in Hanwoo cattle cloned from somatic cells of a single adult. Ten genetically identical Hanwoo were generated by nuclear cell transfer technology with somatic cells from a single adult. Weights at birth, 6 months, and 12 months, as well as horn and noseprint patterns were characterized to investigate phenotypic differences. All cloned animals were born vaginally or caesarean section with an average body weight of 28.3 kg. The average gestation of normal native Korean cattle is 285 days, and the average body weight at birth is 29 kg. The weights of clones at 6 and 12 months were slightly heavier than those of the donor and artificially inseminated control. A horn pattern analysis revealed that seven clones had exactly the same horn pattern as the donor cow, whereas three were different. All clones have without any abnormalities or health problems. Although similarities such as general appearance can often be used to identify individual cloned animals, no study has characterized noseprint patterns for this end. A noseprint pattern analysis of all surviving clones showed that all eight animals had distinct noseprints. Four clones were similar to the donor, and the remaining four clones had more secondary-like characteristics.
This work received grant support from the Agenda Program (No. PJ0071882010) and (No. PJ007189), Rural Development Administration, Republic of KOREA.
