Scientists Create Calf With Reduced Susceptibility to BVDV

Scientists in the US have created a gene-edited calf with what they have called “dramatically reduced” susceptibility to infection of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV).

At 20-months-old, the calf was observed without any “adverse effects” after exposure to BVDV during housing, scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) noted.

It was published by scientists from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS); the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL); the University of Kentucky; industry partners, Acceligen and Recombinetics, Inc.

Gene-edited experiment

Previous research suggests that the CD46 gene is the main receptor for BVDV.

This experiment is the first evidence that changes in the gene may reduce the burden of the BVD virus and associated diseases in cattle, scientists said.

All the protocols were also reviewed and approved by the IACUC of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

CD46 couldn’t be deleted entirely as it has other essential roles in biological processes, the scientists said.

For the study, scientists substituted six amino acids in CD46, to prevent the process of it binding with the BVD virus.
 

Source: agriland.ie
Photo Credit: gettyimages-katie-ellement