Resurrecting biodiversity: advanced assisted reproductive technologies and biobanking

Area of Science:

• Conservation Biology
• Reproductive Technology
• Genetics

Background:

• Human activities are driving the sixth mass extinction, leading to unprecedented biodiversity loss.
• Declining species populations result in reduced genetic diversity, threatening long-term viability.
• Current extinction rates are 1000-10,000 times higher than natural rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cryobanking and assisted reproductive technologies (ART/aART) for biodiversity conservation.
• To explore the potential of these technologies to halt and reverse species extinction.
• To discuss species prioritization for cryobanking and the challenges involved.

Main Methods:

• Cryopreservation of viable cells and tissues at -196°C for indefinite storage.
• Utilisation of ART (oocytes/sperm) and advanced ART (somatic cells) to generate offspring.
• Review of existing literature on cryopreservation successes and challenges across taxa.

Main Results:

• Cryobanking provides a crucial bridge for genetic diversity until advanced reproductive technologies are fully developed.
• ART/aART can potentially reinstate lost genetics and resurrect biodiversity.
• Current ART/aART primarily focus on mammals, necessitating expansion to other taxa like amphibians.

Conclusions:

• Cryobanking is essential for all future conservation strategies to safeguard genetic material.
• Advanced reproductive technologies hold the key to not only preventing but also reversing biodiversity loss.
• Further research and protocol optimization are required for successful application across diverse species.