Sperm mediated gene transfer (SMGT) was developed as an alternative technique for the
production of transgenic animals. This technique is based on the ability of spermatozoa to take up
exogenous genes of interest in the form of DNA molecules in vitro and deliver them to the oocyte during
fertilisation. Thus, novel genetic information could be integrated into the embryo genome in order to alter
the expression of specific genes of the offspring and subsequent generations. DNA uptake by spermatozoa is
a very specific and well regulated mechanism. Although SMGT has been shown to be efficient, protocols
for animal transgenesis are still under optimisation. Recent modifications of SMGT protocols, including
intracytoplasmic sperm injection derived transgenesis (ICSI-Tr) and testis mediated gene transfer (TMGT),
have been reported. Further understanding of the mechanisms involved in SMGT will enhance our
understanding of the biology of fertilisation. Although not yet perfect, the technique of SMGT is of high
biotechnological and medical potential. The use of SMGT to generate transgenic domestic animals could
enhance their performance, and could also enable the production of proteins and pharmaceuticals within the
milk of farm mammals. In addition, it could be used to generate animals as models for human diseases or to
produce multitransgenic animals for xenotransplantation purpose. Finally, SMGT also holds promise in the
context of human gene therapy in future.
Keywords: Transgenic biotechnology, Gene transfer, Biotechnological research transge ICSI,
Xenotransplantation, SMGT, Bioreactors for proteins, ICSI-Tr, Animal desease model, Transgenetic
animals, Gene therapy.