In ovo activation of an egg in the shell

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of avian reproduction. In particular, the present invention provides a method of activating an egg in a shell. The invention also provides a method of activating an egg in a shell, whereby a live chick is hatched.

1 - 87 . (canceled) 
   
   
       88 . A method of producing a live chick from an oviposited unfertilized avian egg in the shell, wherein the live chick contains heterologous nucleic acid, wherein the egg comprises a yolk enclosed by a membrane and an ovum, wherein the method comprises:
 a) activating the ovum;   b) introducing heterologous nucleic acid into the egg; and   c) incubating the egg until hatching.   
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid encodes a pharmaceutical protein, an antigen, a hormone or an antibody. 
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid comprises Avian Leukemia Virus-derived transducing particles. 
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid encodes a protein. 
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is stably integrated into the avian genome. 
   
   
       93 . A method of producing a live chick from an oviposited unfertilized avian egg in the shell, wherein the live chick contains heterologous nucleic acid, wherein the egg comprises a yolk enclosed by a membrane and an ovum, wherein the method comprises:
 a) activating the ovum by delivering a sperm sample comprising avian sperm in a physiologically acceptable carrier into the egg;   b) introducing heterologous nucleic acid into the egg; and   c) incubating the egg until hatching.   
   
   
       94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid encodes a pharmaceutical protein, an antigen, a hormone or an antibody. 
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid comprises Avian Leukemia Virus-derived transducing particles. 
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid encodes a protein. 
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is stably integrated into the avian genome.