Somatic nuclear transfer in livestock species

Abstract. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) in sheep, cattle, goats, swine and rabbits. Numerous advances have been reported as this technique has developed over the last five years. In the first part of this review, we describe the reported data pertaining to each of the species mentioned above. Theories are offered to explain the different results seen between different species and cell types. One of the main aspects of somatic cell NT, the production of transgenic animals will also be reviewed. Future applications of this powerful technique are discussed. This review concludes with a discussion of some of the problems observed in animals produced using NT as well as possible Solutions for these challenges.