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Mouse cloned from single drop of blood
Cloned mouse

Unique method proves successful in Japan

For the first time, scientists have managed to clone a mouse using just a single drop of blood taken from the tail.

Researchers at the RIKEN BioResource Center in Japan questioned whether white blood cells taken from an easily accessible area, such as the tail, could be used for cloning.

The preferred method for cloning is currently to gather the cumulus cells that surround oocytes in the ovarian follicle.

As expected, scientists found that of the five types of white blood cells, lymphocytes were the least successful, with only 1.7 per cent of embryos developing.

As the largest cells, granulocytes and monocytes are the easiest cells to take from blood samples, and 2.1 per cent of these embryos developed. Cumulus cells remained the highest performing donor cells with 2.7 per cent of embryos surviving to term.

Despite this, however, Drs Satoshi Kamimura and Atsuo Ogura at the BioResource Center say the findings prove that mice can be successfully cloned using blood cells.

Furthermore, the unique procedure poses minimal risks to the donor, and scientists found that success rates for re-cloning the same cell rose from three per cent to 10 per cent in first generation clones.

Researchers in Japan are now working to improve the performance of granulocyte donor cells through further study.

Image © RIKEN BioResource Center

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."