Transgenic Rabbit Service

Our experiences

Evergen is a biotech company that focuses on embryo biotechnologies, particularly in transgenics, cloning (nuclear transfer), in vitro fertilization and stem cell technologies.

The Company scientists are working for advancement in the transgenic rabbit field through different approaches.

Pronuclear DNA microinjection

Pronuclear microinjection is routinely performed in the lab. We are proud to be among the very few groups in the world that achieved over 10% transgenic rates (normally below 5%) in rabbits.

Figure 1: Microinjection of Rabbit Zygote Pronucleus.

Gene transfer into rabbit zygote. A. A fertilized rabbit embryo was collected 18 h post hCG injection and mating, two pronuclei were observed under microscope. B. DNA solution was injected into male pronucleus with indicative nuclear swelling (C and D, indicated by arrow).

Production of live cloned rabbit

In a NIH funded project, two rabbit clones were produced after transferring of 506 cloned embryos.  In fact, we are one of the only four groups in the world that reported the production of cloned rabbits. It is also the first cloned rabbit successfully produced in North America. 

Fig.2. Cloned rabbits generated by nuclear transfer (NT) from adult somatic cells. (A) Enucleation of rabbit matured oocyte (arrow indicated 1st polar body).  (B) Cumulus cells containing nuclei (black arrows, after staining with a DNA specific fluorescent dye) were selected from the cell population of hemocytes (white arrows, no staining), and used for NT (C). (D) Cloned rabbit embryos developed into 4-celled stage 20 h after culture in vitro, and (E) continued to develop into hatched blastocyst stage after 5 d of culture. Bar=75 mm. In (F) the pregnancy was determined by an ultrasound guided monitoring on day 14 after embryo transfer (ET). The fetus body is indicated by the white arrows and the yolk sac cavity by the black arrow, respectively. (G) the first full-term rabbit clone was naturally delivered as a stillborn 33 d after ET, and (H) the second clone was alive, delivered by C-section 31 d after ET.

Rabbit embryonic stem cells

In another NIH funded project, we at Evergen are working to derive germline competent rabbit embryonic stem cells, with the goal to use such ES cells to generate gene targeted transgenic rabbits.