Abstract
Fetal cells and DNA have been detected in the maternal circulation during and after pregnancy in a few mammalian species. The incidence of similar microchimerism in cattle could have repercussion for the application of modern biotechnologies such as the transfer of transgenic embryos. To determine if feto-maternal leakage can occur in pregnant cows, we have analyzed maternal blood samples for the presence of fetal DNA during gestation and post-partum periods. Y chromosome-specific DNA was detected in up to 73% of blood samples from naturally mated heifers carrying conventional bull calves and a transgene-specific sequence in up to 50% of recipient cows carrying transgenic fetuses. These findings document for the first time that transplacental leakage of fetal DNA into the maternal circulation can occur in cattle despite the epitheliochorial placenta of ruminants, with potential implications for the utilization of recipient cows in the food chain.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 486-491 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Biotechnology Journal |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bovine
- Embryo transfer
- Microchimerism
- Real-time PCR
- Transplacental leakage
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Molecular Medicine