Transfection of mouse sperms in vitro with foreign gene mediated by liposome

Objective To explore the feasibility of sperms used as carriers of foreign gene for generating transgenic mice. Methods The sperms were taken from the vas deferens and ductus epididymidis of mature mice, incubated with foreign plasmid DNA covered by liposome and injected into the vagina of super-ovulated female mice. Forty hours later the 2-cell embryos were collected for test. Results The results showed that: (1) The sperms could be transfected by foreign DNA and the ratio of transfection was 53%; (2) The 2-cell embryos could carry foreign DNA from the sperms transfected and the frequency of carrying was 11.5%. Conclusion Sperms from mouse vas deferens and ductus epididymidis can be transfected by foreign DNA covered by liposome and can be used as the vehicle to carry the foreign DNA into early embryo.