The ongoing mass extinction of animal species at an unprecedented rate is largely caused by human activities. Progressive habitat destruction and fragmentation is resulting in accelerated loss of biodiversity on a global scale. Over decades, captive breeding programs of non-domestic species were characterized by efforts to optimize species-specific husbandry, to increase studbook-based animal exchange, and to improve enclosure designs. To counter the ongoing dramatic loss of biodiversity, new approaches are warranted. Recently, new ideas, particularly the application of assisted reproduction technologies (ART), have been incorporated into classical zoo breeding programs. These technologies include semen and oocyte collection, artificial insemination, and in-vitro embryo generation. More futuristic ideas of advanced ART (aART) implement recent advances in biotechnology and stem-cell related approaches such as cloning, inner cell mass transfer (ICM), and the stem-cell-associated techniques (SCAT) for the generation of gametes and ultimately embryos of highly endangered species, such as the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) of which only two female individuals are left. Both, ART and aART greatly depend on and benefit from the rapidly evolving cryopreservation techniques and biobanking not only of genetic, but also of viable cellular materials suitable for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). The availability of cryopreserved materials bridges gaps in time and space, thereby optimizing the available genetic variability and enhancing the chance to restore viable populations.

Avantea srl Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies Via Porcellasco 7 F 26100 Cremona Italy

Avantea srl Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies Via Porcellasco 7 F 26100 Cremona Italy; Fondazione Avantea 26100 Cremona Italy

Borneo Rhino Alliance Sabah Malaysia

Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science University of Padua 35020 Padua Italy; Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine Conservation and Animal Welfare University of Padua 35020 Padua Italy

Faculty of Medical Sciences Kyushu University Maidashi 3 1 1 Higashi ku Fukuoka 812 8582 Japan

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Univeristy of Teramo Campus Coste San Agostino 64100 Teramo Italy

Institute of Stem Cell Research German Research Center for Environmental Health Helmholtz Center Munich Ingolstaedter Landstraße 1 85764 Neuherberg Germany

Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health University of Oxford John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford OX3 9DU United Kingdom

School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia

Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association Robert Rössle Str 10 13092 Berlin Germany; Berlin Institute of Health Anna Louisa Karsch Straße 2 10178 Berlin Germany

The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Alfred Kowalke Straße 17 10315 Berlin Germany

Zoo Dvůr Králové Štefánikova 1029 544 01 Dvůr Králové nad Labem Czech Republic

Citace poskytuje Crossref.org

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