DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSGENIC RABBITS WITH RIBOZYME DIRECTED TO BOVINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS rex/tax mRNA

New Zealand White female rabbits were used as ova donors (80) and recipient of zygotes (57). DNA construct, containing ribozyme directed to bovine leukemia virus rex/tax mRNA, was microinjected into 1184 zygotes. Ninety-eight rabbits were born and finally 39 potentially transgenic animals were screened for the presence of ribozyme sequence. Only one rabbit of F1 generation was detected as transgenic, however 75% of its offspring was transgenic. To further assess the in vivo antiviral activity mediated by ribozyme, transgenic rabbits of F2 generation, developed in this study, will be challenged by BLV and their resistance will be estimated.