Preservation of the wild European mouflon: the first example of genetic management using a complete program of reproductive biotechnologies.
Although the potential use of reproductive biotechnologies for safeguarding endangered wildlife species is undoubted, practical efforts have met with limited success to date. In those instances in which modern technologies have been adapted to rescuing rare or endangered species, procedures have been applied piecemeal, and no consistent breeding program based on reproductive biotechnologies has been undertaken. Here we describe for the first time the rescue of an endangered species, the European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon), by the application of an integrated package of reproductive biotechnologies. This genetic management extended from the initial collection of gametes, through the in vitro production of embryos and interspecific transfer, to the birth of healthy mouflon offspring. In addition, a genetic resource bank for the European mouflon was established, with cryopreserved sperm, embryos, and somatic cells.
Ptak
Grazyna
G
Dipartimento di Strutture, Funzioni e Patologie degli Animali e Biotecnologie, Università di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy. gptak@ticalinet.it
Clinton
Michael
M
Barboni
Barbara
B
Muzzeddu
Marco
M
Cappai
Pietro
P
Tischner
Marian
M
Loi
Pasqualino
P
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001709:Biotechnology; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000662:veterinary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D012661:Semen; D012756:Sheep; D013045:Species Specificity; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000662:veterinary