Figure 5.

Utilization of SCNT to promote pig breeding lines. The somatic cell is depleted of its mtDNA and introduced into an oocyte containing mtDNA from a specific mtDNA haplotype (e.g., A, D, or E). Once activated, it can develop into an embryo and give rise to offspring. This allows for embryos and offspring to be studied to determine if mtDNA haplotypes influence phenotypic traits with the aim of generating enhanced lines of breeding pigs. mtDNA, mitochondrial DNA; SCNT, somatic cell nuclear transfer.