In a groundbreaking procedure, researchers at Texas A&M University successfully cloned what is believed to be the first animal specifically cloned for disease resistance.
The month-old calf was cloned using cells that were frozen for 15 years, representing the longest time ever that genetic material has been maintained by cryopreservation, thawed and successfully used in cloning.
The calf, named 86 Squared due to his exponential genetic potential, was born three years after the death of Bull 86, his genetic donor.
After testing hundreds of cattle, Bull 86 was found to be naturally disease-resistant to brucellosis.
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Under laboratory conditions it is also resistant to tuberculosis and salmonellosis Ð all serious diseases in veterinary and human health.
Until Bull 86 was no longer able to breed, he was extensively studied as part of a breeding research program conducted by A & M researchers Garry Adams and Joe Templeton.
In 1985, cells from the tip of Bull 86’s ear were frozen for future genetic study. Fifteen years later, researchers Taeyoung Shin and Mark Westhusin were able to clone the bull.
Brucellosis, tuberculosis and salmonellosis are infectious bacterial diseases that can be transmitted from one herd to another and even to humans. Although nearly eradicated in the United States and Canada, brucellosis and tuberculosis are widespread elsewhere in the world and could find their way back into U.S. herds.
“The impact of cloning disease-resistant cattle is potentially monumental,” Adams said.
“For example, in countries where they are unable to pasteurize milk to kill the bacteria or process meat appropriately, breeding disease-resistant cows could greatly contribute to a safer food supply, especially pre-harvest. The potential to combine natural disease resistance with the outstanding production traits of U.S. cattle increases the market value of our cattle in the world market.”
Templeton said brucellosis and tuberculosis are prevalent in Mexico and could easily be brought into the U.S. by stray or imported cattle.
“That’s why the potential to purposefully breed this natural resistance into cattle will be an important addition to current disease control methods, which have not been 100 percent effective in the United States and abroad.”
Vaccinations, testing, quarantine and destroying infected herds have not eradicated these diseases.
“This research will benefit ranchers in many countries who cannot afford to vaccinate or test their herds for these diseases,” Templeton said.
“These unprotected cattle are a potential reservoir for re-infection of herds in the United States and specifically in Texas since most imports pass through Texas.”
Diseases can be re-introduced and spread quickly from just one infected imported cow. The ramifications of the research will be profound even in a disease that affects the health of humans but not cattle, such as salmonella.
Texas A&M University is believed to have the only research facility that is using cloning technology as a tool to specifically clone disease-resistant animals.
