Scientists Develop Gene-edited Sheep with Enhanced Reproductive Performance

A study published in Nature demonstrates the generation and propagation of gene-edited fine wool sheep with high fecundity through CRISPR-Cas9. This research introduces a novel approach by integrating gene editing with traditional breeding methods to create gene-targeted founders and grow a population with desirable traits.

Nine gene-edited sheep were successfully generated in the study. Six of them carried a precise point mutation with an efficiency of 31.6%, which was used as a foundation for successive generations. The study found that F1 ewes with the B+ allele had an average litter size of 170%, similar to native Australian Booroola sheep, and gene-edited ewes produced 0.62 to 0.42 more lambs than wild-type ewes.

The study demonstrated that CRISPR-Cas9, combined with ssODN and SCR7, can efficiently introduce targeted mutations, leading to high fertility without compromising the fine wool quality of Merino sheep, which is often affected by traditional crossbreeding methods. The results of the study provide key insights into enhancing the reproductive performance of sheep through gene editing.

For more information, read the study from Nature.