ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

FSH, IGF-1 and cumulus granulosa monolayer in
control medium during in vitro culture showed their
better survival.
At RGCB, Thiruvanathapuram, purification and
characterization of testosterone specific receptor of
DBT Annual Report 2006-07
84
goat caput epididymis has been attempted to study
its role in the sperm maturation function. A 66 kDa
protein with high affinity for binding both testosterone
and estradiol was isolated and purified. Thus a
unique system exists where one receptor binds two
hormones. A primary culture of caput epididymal
epithelial cells showed the presence of plasma
membrane localized binding sites for testosterone.
Embryo transfer technology in equines was
standardized at EBS, Babugarh and an ET foal was
born. A total of 58 flushings were made from 24 mares
and 47 embryos were collected. At present, 2 mares
of more than 250 days, 4 mares of more than 190
days and 2 mares of less than 190 days are held as
pregnant.
Attempts to preserve native Ongole breed by
producing embryos through ET technology were
made at Lam farm, Guntur. So far, 165 embryos were
produced through non-surgical collection and 96
were found to be transferable embryos. Significant
improvements in the yield of transferable embryos
were recorded. A new protocol to induce
synchronous ovulation and to enhance embryo
quality was studied which focused on emergence of
new follicular waves using steroid hormones prior to
superovulation treatment.
Signaling mechanisms controlling the follicular
differentiation in rat were studied at Delhi University,
Delhi. Protein-protein interactions involving SH3
domain of src tyrosine kinases was used to study
novel proteins involved in proliferation and
differentiation of granulosa cells. Differential gene
expression profiling by DDRT-PCR during
folliculogenesis helped to identify important genes.
Cloning and expression studies have given lead for
furtherance of the study for human cases of infertility
and ovarian diseases.
Transgenics and Cloning
Spermato- transgenesis technique for the production
of transgenic mice has been standardized at NII, New
Delhi. EGFP and IGFBP6 mammalian genes having
viral or mammalian promoters were injected in the