Research Group 5: Reproduction Management
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Subjects and Projects

 

 

 Research Topic 3 - Applied Research/ Assisted Reproduction

MEGAVERTEBRATES

CARNIVORES

HEIMISCHE WILDTIERE

PRIMATEN

 

 
 

 

 

 MEGAVERTEBRATES

 

Application of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) in Asian (Elephas maximus) and African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in captive breeding programmes

  • assessment of the individual reproductive soundness of potential breeders
  • non-invasive sonographic and endocrinological monitoring of ovarian and uterine dynamics in non-pregnant and pregnant females
  • semen collection and preservation, including cryo-preservation
  • artificial insemination

 

Timeframe:

 

Type of project:

 

Financing:

 

RGs:

 

Persons:  Hildebrandt, Göritz, Hermes, Fritsch, Blottner, Jewgenow

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Development and application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in rhinoceroses

  • evaluation of individual reproductive capacity of potential breeders
  • semen collection and preservation
  • artificial insemination

(Hermes, Göritz, Hildebrandt)

 

 

      In the last 18 months, the only remaining population of north white rhinoceros has dropped from 30 to perhaps no more then 4 animals due to brutal poaching.  Of the 10 northern white rhinoceroses kept in captivity, 5 out of 7 of the breeding females are infertile due to asymmetric aging and only one calf has been born within the last 17 years.  If drastic measures are not taken to improve reproduction this species will vanish.  In this regard, transvaginal laparoscopy for retrieval of oocytes is proposed for use in captive, female rhinoceros, specifically focusing on the northern white rhinoceros in order to protect this sub-species from extinction with the highest genetic diversity possible.  In this initial project, the southern white rhinoceros serves as a model to develop female gamete rescue technology for application in northern white rhinos.

       

      Timeframe:

       2004 - 2010

      Type of project:

       

      Financing:

       intern

      RGs:

       

      Persons:  Hildebrandt, Hermes, Jewgenow, Göritz

        

      project-oriented publications

       

       

       

      Although spermatology is an evermore-important aspect of captive wildlife reproduction management, little is know about exotic animal spermatozoa physiology.  Most of the current spermatology protocols employed for exotic mammal spermatozoa rely on information inferred from domestic animal and human spermatozoa research.  But, the major imposing problem remains to be species differences and even sub-species and individual differences.  While previous works on other species serve as an extensive foundation, it is imperative to investigate the species-specific responses of white rhinocereos (Ceratotherium simum) whom are under the imminent threat of extinction.  

      In an attempt to optimize post-thaw quality of Rhinoceros sperm, our investigation will include:

      1. the use of electron microscopy to identify possible spermatic pathologies; characterization of  different freezing medias and subsquently their interaction with the spermatoza; and  to illustrate and define the different degrees, extent, and types of damage caused by two different freezing methods;
      2. the determination of lipid composition of white rhinoceros spermatozoa for a basic understanding of the cell character;
      3. the adaption and application of various sperm assessment and handling protocols;
      4. the evaluation of various alternative cryoprotective agents;
      5. the comparison of two freezing methods: conventional equiaxed and multi-thermal gradient directional freezing.
      6. the evaluation of the sustainablity of the current captive population and the subsequent need for assited reproduction techniques,
      7. the determination of possible extinsic factors effecting reproduction in captivity.

        8.  

      Timeframe:

       since 06/2004

      Type of project:

       dissertation

      Financing:

       internal, grants

      RGs:

       

      Persons:  Reid, Blottner, Hildebrandt, Göritz, Hermes

        

      project-oriented publications

 

       

       

       

      Biotechnological potentials for the manipulation of offspring sex ratio in different rhinoceros species

      Currently the Rhinocerotidae family contains five species (Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Indian Rhinoceros and the Sumatran Rhinoceros). Despite a hundred years of husbandry of rhinoceroses and a rapid development of assisted reproduction technologies in the last decades only rare breeding success can be noted. The veterinarians of the Research Group reproduction management could lately develop the first successful method for artificial insemination of rhinoceroses worldwide. For endangered species it is particularly important to breed a lot of female offspring. This is the only possibility to enlarge the population and to gradually build up a self-sustaining population.

      The aim of this dissertation financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG) is the formulation and realisation of biotechnical potentials regarding the manipulation of offspring sex ratio towards females in endangered rhinoceros species. In a cooperation with the biotechnological department of the Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) rhinoceros sperms are sorted by means of their sexdeterming attributes.

      The semen is collected from bulls of the European Endangered Species Program using electroejaculation under general anaesthesia in context of reproductive status assessments. The so called Beltsville sperm sexing technology is based on sorting spermatozoa with differential DNA content as the X and Y sperm marker through a modified high-speed flow cytometer. Because of the very different sperm physiology specific protocols for every species have to be acquired concerning. Therefore  species specific sorting-, conservation- and insemination conditions are explored and established.

       

      Timeframe:

      since 12/2005

      Type of project:

       dissertation

      Financing:

      DFG

      RGs:

       

      Persons:  Behr, Blottner, Hildebrandt, Göritz, Hermes

        

      project-oriented publications

 

 

 

 

 CARNIVORES

 

Development and application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in carnivores

 

a) Development of techniques for the artificial insemination

  • assessment of individual reproductive soundness of potential breeding partner
  • semen collection and preservation
  • artificial insemination

 

 

 

b) Development and Application of Techniques for Contraception

 

 

 

  

       

ENDEMIC WILD GAME

Experimental investigations of reproduction biology and embryo transfer in the European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

 

Timeframe:

Type of project:

dissertation

Financing:

RGs:

 

Persons: Broich, Göritz

   

summary of the dissertation

 

project-oriented publications

 

 

 

 

PRIMATES

Optimisation of superovulation regimes by ultrasonographic monitoring of the folliculogenesis in the frame of cloningprogrammes  

 

Timeframe:

Type of project:

Financing:

RGs:

 

Persons: Hildebrandt, Göritz

  

  

project-oriented publications