Assisted reproductive technologies for endangered species conservation: Developing sophisticated protocols with limited access to animals with unique reproductive mechanisms
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have been proposed as a means of overcoming the significant challenges of managing small, isolated populations of endangered species in zoos. However, efficient protocols for ARTs do not exist for most endangered species. This review will focus on research efforts to characterize unique reproductive mechanisms and develop species-specific ARTs. Central to these studies are assays to measure steroid metabolites in urine or feces and/or training programs to allow unrestrained blood collections and ultrasound evaluations. The resulting information about estrous cycle dynamics, combined with studies of semen collection and processing, provides the foundation for the development of artificial insemination (AI). In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer are also discussed in relation to the advantages these techniques could provide relative to AI, as well as the significant challenges involved with technologies that require oocytes and embryos. Finally, an argument is made for additional research of nontraditional model species (e.g., domestic cats and dogs) and the development of novel models representing unique taxa. Whether these species are studied by zoo-based researchers with the expressed intent of developing ARTs for conservation or academic scientists interested in basic biology, the resulting information will provide a unique, evolutionary perspective on reproduction that could have wide-reaching benefits. The more information we…
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Assistive reproductive technologies are not widely available nor studied for many endangered species in ex situ conservation breeding programs.
“While more widespread adoption of assistive reproductive technologies (ARTs) would aid in mitigating the need for transfers, ARTs are not widely available nor studied for many endangered species that are part of ex situ conservation breeding programs [32,34].”
From The Concept of Agency, Animal Wellbeing, and the Practical Realities of Ex Situ Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums (2024) · cites this paper as [32]
Many wild species do not have successful or well-studied methods for artificial insemination, meaning animals must be brought together for breeding in most cases.
“Many wild species do not have successful or well-studied methods for artificial insemination [32] which means animals must be brought together for breeding in most cases.”
From The Concept of Agency, Animal Wellbeing, and the Practical Realities of Ex Situ Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums (2024) · cites this paper as [32]
Ultrasound scans and sample collection are typical procedures for animals in breeding programs.
“Ultrasound scans and sample collection are typical procedures [32,54].”
From The Concept of Agency, Animal Wellbeing, and the Practical Realities of Ex Situ Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums (2024) · cites this paper as [32]
Animals managed ex situ for breeding programs are often subject to regular veterinary procedures to monitor reproductive health and collect data for research on reproductive physiology.
“Animals who are managed ex situ for breeding programs are often subject to regular veterinary procedures to monitor reproductive health and collect valuable data for research on reproductive physiology.”
From The Concept of Agency, Animal Wellbeing, and the Practical Realities of Ex Situ Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums (2024) · cites this paper as [32]
Testing many reproductive technologies with zoo species is difficult owing to small population sizes, an even more limited number of which are considered for breeding, and the many unique reproductive systems involved.
“Of course, it is important to consider that testing many reproductive technologies with zoo species is difficult owing to small population sizes, an even more limited number of which are considered for breeding, and the many unique reproductive systems involved [32].”
From The Concept of Agency, Animal Wellbeing, and the Practical Realities of Ex Situ Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums (2024) · cites this paper as [32]
Many reproductive technologies that are commonplace in domestic species are now being tried and tested with animals in zoos and aquariums.
“With the advent of the 21st century, many reproductive technologies that have become commonplace in the reproduction of domestic species are now being tried and tested with animals in zoos and aquariums [32,84].”
From The Concept of Agency, Animal Wellbeing, and the Practical Realities of Ex Situ Breeding Programs in Zoos and Aquariums (2024) · cites this paper as [32]
Cites
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Weighing the options for limiting surplus animals
Asa, C. (2016) · Zoo Biology · doi:10.1002/zoo.21293 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
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Norman, M., & Brando, S. (2024) · Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens · doi:10.3390/jzbg5040038 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Of course, it is important to consider that testing many reproductive technologies with zoo species is difficult owing to small population sizes, an even more limited number of which are considered for breeding, and the many unique reproductive systems involved [32].”
Influential
- Authors
- Herrick, J. R.
- Affiliations
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE 68107, USA
- Corresponding author
- Herrick, Jason R
- ORCID
- Herrick, Jason R
- Venue
- Biology of Reproduction
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2019-02-16
- Volume
- 100
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1158-1170
- ISSN
- 0006-3363 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-7268
- OpenAlex
- W2913426779
- Cited by
- 158
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 31 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 5
- FWCI
- 2.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model (vor)
- Locations
- Biology of Reproduction (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Animal Genetics and Reproduction
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
- Keywords
- assisted reproduction, endangered species conservation, captive breeding, zoo animals, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, estrous cycle, ultrasound evaluation, oocytes, cats, dogs, small isolated populations
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources, Embryo Transfer, Fertilization in Vitro, Insemination, Artificial, Reproduction, Species Specificity, Models, Animal, Reproductive Techniques, Assisted, Extinction, Biological, Endangered Species, Inventions
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