Intra-testicular injection of foreign DNA as a possible method for the production of transgenic chicken

An exogenous gene (green fluorescent protein: GFP), as a marker gene, was i njected directly into the testis of matured male chicken without the laparo tomy. After one day of fasting, a solution containing DNA was injected dire ctly into the testis through abdominal skin between 6th and 7th ribs. After 3 days of injection, semen samples were collected by the method of lumbar massage and washed 5 times by repeated centrifugation with PBS. Introduced DNA was detected in ejaculated spermetazoa by PCR analysis and the DNA was also found in the embryo of next generation (Fo) when the treated spermatoz oa was inseminated into laying hens. These results suggest that spermatozoa may act as a vector for transferring exogenous genes into the chicken.