The advance could help to boost breeding of endangered birds, as well as improving production of commercial hens.

The genetic tool called TALEN deletes part of a gene called DDX4 which is crucial for bird fertility. As a result, the hens with the genetic modification were unable to produce eggs but were otherwise healthy.

The edited gene plays a critical role in making specialised cells – called primordial germ cells – which help produce eggs.

Scientists believe the next stage is to implant these primordial germ cells from other bird breeds into the gene-edited surrogate hens. The hens would then grow up to produce eggs containing all of the genetic information from the donor breeds.

Protecting rare breeds

Lead researcher Dr Mike McGrew of the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute said: “These chickens are a first step in saving and protecting rare poultry breeds from loss in order to preserve future biodiversity of our poultry from both economic and climate stresses.”

The project, which included a US biotechnology company, has produced the first gene-edited surrogate chickens in Europe.

The study is published in the journal Development and was funded by strategic investment from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

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