REVIEW PAPER
Factors inducing the activation of reconstructed
oocytes of farm animals in somatic cloning
procedures
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Department of Animal Reproduction,
National Research Institute of Animal Production,
32-083 Balice, Poland
Publication date: 2004-06-16
Corresponding author
J. Jurkiewicz
Department of Animal Reproduction,
National Research Institute of Animal Production,
32-083 Balice, Poland
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2004;13(3):373-388
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Artificial activation of reconstructed oocytes is induced with various physical or chemical factors,
which can be used in a number of activation protocols such as pre-activation, simultaneous activation
and fusion and post-activation. The post-activation protocol is the most common and brings best
effects in somatic cloning of farm animals.
The artificial activation model is still different from the natural model of oocyte activation by
penetrating spermatozoon, as is the case with fertilization. For this reason the protocols for artificial
activation of reconstructed oocytes continue to be modified. Current studies on the improvement of
oocyte artificial activation methods centre around the optimization of the electric field parameters and
on the association of the activating factors with blockers of the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases or
protein synthesis. The optimum activation method will make possible the complete reprogramming of
exogenous cell nuclei and thus improve the ultimate efficiency of somatic cloning in farm animals.