Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) in mice has undergone rapid developments over the past
twenty years, because of the obvious advantages in operation: it is inexpensive and convenient, and requires
minimal specialist training and equipment. The typical method of SMGT technology is to use the mature
spermatozoa as vehicles for DNA delivery in vitro. However, the low efficiency associated with this approach
has resulted in many negative results, with consequent controversy over its biological basis. By contrast, in
vivo gene transfer through direct introduction of foreign DNA into the male reproductive tract is developing
apace. The mouse as a major model animal has made an important contribution to SMGT progress.
Keywords: Murine SMGT, SCNT, Electroporation, DNA-binding proteins, SMGT, Transgenesis, DNA
integration, Virus-SMGT, ICSI, TMGT.
