Question

Name the first Transgenic Cow.

Answer 1

Hint: A transgenic animal is one in which, whose genome has been changed by transferring a gene or genes from another species or breed. For example; Transgenic cows, transgenic mice, and more.

Complete answer:
Rosie was the first transgenic cow in which the Human-alpha-lactalbumin gene was introduced.
The milk has better protein content and is more suitable for human babies, nutritionally.

Additional Information: Transgenic cows produce proteins in their milk.
The extra gene (transgene) is present in every cell of a transgenic cow. However, it’s only expressed in mammary tissue. This implies that the transgene’s protein will only be found in the cow’s milk and can only be extracted from there.
Techniques used to make transgenic cows:
1) Making a transgenic cow is a multi-step process.
2) First, the gene for the desired product is identified and sequenced. Then a gene construct containing this desired gene is made using DNA cloning, restriction enzyme digests, and ligation.
3) The gene construct is then introduced into female bovine (cow) cells by transfection. Transgenic bovine cells are selected and fused with the bovine oocytes that had all of their chromosomes removed.
4) Once fused with the oocyte, the transgenic cell’s chromosomes are reprogrammed to direct development into an embryo, which can be implanted into a recipient cow.
5) After a 9-month gestation period, a female calf is born.
6) She will only express the transgene in her milk during lactation after her first calf is born. This is because the expression of the transgene is controlled by a promoter-specific to lactating mammary cells.

Note: Purpose of transgenic animals:
Transgenesis allows the improvement of nutrients in animal products, including their quantity, the standard of the entire food, and specific nutritional composition. Transgenic technology could provide a way of transferring or increasing nutritionally beneficial traits.