Date of Award:

8-2012

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

Kenneth L. White

Committee

Kenneth L. White

Committee

Thomas D. Bunch

Committee

Christopher D. Corcoran

Committee

Christopher J. Davies

Committee

Lee F. Rickords

Committee

Kenneth L. White

Abstract

The Center for Integrated Biosystems (CIB) and Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences (ADVS) Department at Utah State University propose a multi-year molecular study of cattle gamete interactions to improve our basic understanding of fertilization. The CIB and ADVS will utilize existing collaborations in addition to recruiting state and federal funding sources to complete the extensive project.

Various laboratory techniques will be used to discover the molecular players of fertilization in hopes of shedding light on a variety of human infertility issues due to problems at the gamete level. A more complete understanding of fertilization could also lead to the development of improved contraceptives. Another potential outcome is improved efficiency associated with animal cloning. Currently cloning technology involves multiple non-natural techniques that could be contributing to the poor success rate of animal cloning. A better understanding of fertilization at the molecular level could lead to a more natural way of cloning animals. Cloning technology has a great potential of producing transgenic animals for biopharmaceutical production, creating animal models to study human diseases, rescuing endangered species, and producing stem cells. Improving the efficiency of animal cloning will allow for faster advancements and benefits of this technology.

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1c74a36865e1cd4bed5f39b20c0e642c

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This work made publicly available electronically on September 20, 2012.

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