Production of fertile xy female animals by silencing of genes on the y chromosome

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for generating F0 fertile XY female animals. The methods and compositions involve making XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cells, in vitro cell cultures, or embryos that are capable of producing a fertile female XY animal in an F0 generation. Such cells, embryos, and animals can be made by silencing a region of the Y chromosome. Optionally, the cells can also be cultured in feminizing medium such as a low-osmolality medium and/or can be modified to decrease the level and/or activity of an Sry protein. Methods and compositions are also provided for silencing a region of the Y chromosome in an XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cell, or in vitro cell cultures, embryos, or animals derived therefrom, by maintaining an XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cell in a feminizing medium. Methods and compositions are also provided for maintaining a population of XY pluripotent or totipotent animal cells in a feminizing medium and selecting cells or clones having increased capabilities for producing a fertile female XY animal in an F0 generation. Methods and compositions are also provided for screening for compounds with feminizing activity or for optimizing concentrations of components in feminizing media.