Current progress on assisted reproduction in dogs and cats: in vitro embryo production

Abstract

-The objective of the development of assisted reproduction techniques in dogs and cats is their application to non-domestic canine and feline species, most of which are considered threatened or endangered. Among these techniques, an entirely in vitro system for embryo production is effectively an important tool for conservation of wildlife. In the last decade, progress has been made in embryo production in carnivores. It has been shown that canine oocytes can resume meiosis in vitro and that these oocytes can be fertilized and developed in vitro, although at a much lower rate than most other domestic animal oocytes. The reason lies in the dissimilarities of reproductive physiology of the dog compared to other species and the lack of precise information concerning the oviductal environment, in which oocyte maturation, fertilization and early embryonic development take place. Successful in vitro embryo production in the domestic cat has been attained with oocytes matured in vitro, and kittens were born after transfer of IVM/IVF derived embryos. On the basis of these results the in vitro fertilization of oocytes has also been applied in several non-domestic feline species. The effectiveness of such protocols in the preservation of genetic material of rare species can be improved by developing better techniques for long-term storage of gametes. In dogs and cats sperm cells have been successfully frozen and the cryopreservation of oocytes would greatly increase their availability for a range of reproductive technologies. Cryopreserved cat oocytes can be fertilized successfully and their development in vitro after fertilization is enhanced when mature oocytes are frozen. Thus refined techniques of oocyte maturation and fertilization in vitro coupled with oocyte cryopreservation could allow for an easy establishment of genetic combinations when male and female gametes in the desired combination are not simultaneously available, and the propagation of endangered carnivores would be facilitated.canine / feline / in vitro embryo production Résumé -Progrès récents de la reproduction assistée des chiens et des chats : production in vitro d'embryons. L'objectif du développement des techniques de reproduction assistée chez le chien et le chat ont leur application à des espèces canines et félines non domestiques, la plupart d'entre elles menacées ou en danger. En effet un système de production d'embryons entièrement Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 40 (2000) 505-512 505

Effects of Final Dilution Rate, Sperm Concentration and Times for Cooling and Glycerol Equilibration on Post-Thaw Characteristics of Canine Spermatozoa

“…Sci. 66(11): 1359-1364, 2004 Biotechnological studies may contribute much to the conservation of endangered wildlife species, and assisted reproduction techniques in domestic dogs may be applicable to non-domesticated canid species [11,14]. Indeed, techniques of sperm cryopreservation developed for domestic dogs have been applied to captive red wolves [10].…”

Evaluación Morfológica de Ovocitos Caninos Recuperados en Diferentes Fases del Ciclo Estral

“…El estudio de la biología reproductiva de la perra doméstica (Canis lupus familiaris) constituye un valioso modelo para la comprensión y desarrollo de biotecnologías reproductivas con aplicación en especies de cánidos en peligro de extinción (Farstad, 2000;Luvoni, 2000). Además, las técnicas de maduración de ovocitos in vitro (MIV) y fecundación in vitro (FIV) representan una alternativa para rescatar material genético en hembras de alto valor y que presentan alteraciones reproductivas no hereditarias (Hishinuma et al, 2004).…”

Influência do fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina I (IGF-I) adicionado ao meio fluido sintético de tuba uterina (SOF) sobre a maturação in vitro de oócitos caninos (Canis familiaris)

“…Além do TCM são descritos os meios TYH (Krebs-Ringer bicarbonato modificado), TALP (tyrode modificado) e BWW (Biggers-WhittenWhittingham) que podem ser suplementados com proteína, hormônios, soro e células da tuba uterina (LUVONI, 2000;BOGLIOLO et al, 2002). Hewitt, Watson e England (1995), estudaram os meios suplementados com FSH, hCG e estradiol para cultivar oócitos em folículos pré antrais avançados e antrais precoces.…”