Weight and Linear Indicators of Growth and Development of Chick Embryos with Constitutive Expression of eGFP Marker Gene
We study the effect of integrated recombinant genes expression on the growth and development of transgenic chick embryos. The research was carried out on Rhode Island Red chick embryos at the premises of the L.K. Ernst All-Russian Research Institute of Animal Husbandry in 2018. It was formed two test groups of transgenic embryos with constitutive expression of eGFP gene: I - under the control of RSV promoter (Rous sarcoma virus); II -under the control of hybrid CAG promoter. Embryos from non-transgenic chickens served as a control. Estimation of embryos according to the weighed and linear indices was carried out on the 7th, 10th, 14th and 18th days of incubation. In each case, 20 embryos were examined. Pathological abnormalities and impairments in the development of both transgenic and non-transgenic chick embryos were not revealed. In embryos obtained from transgenic chickens, compared with the control ones, there was a reliable decrease in both the total weight and the weight of separate organs. The differences between the experimental and control groups for these indicators were the most significant in the second half of incubation. On the 14th and 18th days of incubation, they had a significantly shorter body length by 7% (56 ± 2 mm) and 6% (84 ± 2 mm); the body weight was lower by 21% (7.02 ± 0.62 g) and 16% (18.25 ± 0.96 g), respectively. On the 18th day, a significant decrease in heart weight by 10% (0.155 ± 0.010 g) and liver weight by 15% (0.493 ± 0.032 g) was revealed in comparison with the control. According to the length of a head, legs and wings, as well as the weight of a stomach, significant differences between the experimental and control groups were not established. The data obtained indicate the negative effect of the integrated recombinant genes on the growth and development of chick embryos.