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In vitro fertilization program in white rhinoceros
Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt1,2, Susanne Holtze1, Silvia Colleoni3
1Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin eV, Reproduction Management, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße, Berlin, Germany.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|October 25, 2023
Summary
Assisted reproductive technologies are crucial for saving endangered rhinoceros species. This study successfully generated in vitro blastocysts for both Southern white rhinoceros (SWR) and, for the first time, Northern white rhinoceros (NWR), offering hope for conservation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology and conservation science.
Background:
- Rhinoceros populations are declining, with several species critically endangered.
- The Northern white rhinoceros (NWR) is extinct in the wild, and the Southern white rhinoceros (SWR) is Near Threatened.
- New reproductive strategies are urgently needed to safeguard these species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program for Southern white rhinoceros (SWR) and Northern white rhinoceros (NWR).
- To evaluate health effects, donor factors, and procedural elements of assisted reproduction in white rhinoceros.
Main Methods:
- Over 8 years, 65 procedures were performed on 22 white rhinoceros females (20 SWR, 2 NWR).
- Procedures included hormonal ovarian stimulation, ovum pick-up (OPU), in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization, embryo culture, and blastocyst cryopreservation.
- Efficiency was measured by blastocysts generated per OPU.
Main Results:
- Generated 22 NWR, 19 SWR, and 10 SWR/NWR hybrid blastocysts.
- Achieved an efficiency of 1.0 ± 1.3 blastocysts per OPU.
- Collected data on health, donor, and procedural factors for future optimization.
Conclusions:
- Successful in vitro blastocyst generation was achieved for both SWR and NWR.
- This represents a significant advancement in assisted reproductive technologies for rhinoceros conservation.
- The generated blastocysts offer potential for future breeding programs and species recovery.
