Hens that do not produce their own chicks have been developed for use as surrogates to lay eggs from rare breeds. The technique — using gene-editing technology — could help to boost breeding of endangered birds and improve the production of commercial hens, researchers say.
A team led by the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute used a genetic tool called TALEN to delete a section of chicken DNA. They targeted part of a gene called DDX4, which is crucial for bird fertility. DDX4 plays an essential role in the generation of specialized cells, called primordial germ cells, which give rise to eggs.
Hens with the genetic modification were unable to produce eggs but were otherwise healthy, the team found.
Researchers say that donor cells from other breeds could be implanted into the gene-edited chickens as they are developing inside an egg. The surrogate hens would then grow up to produce eggs containing all of the different genetic information, from the donor breeds.
The surrogate chickens are the first gene-edited birds to be produced in Europe.
“These chickens are a first step in saving and protecting rare poultry breeds from loss,” said lead researcher Mike McGrew. “in order to preserve future biodiversity of our poultry from both economic and climate stresses.”
Alice Mitchell is editor of ThePoultrySite.com.
