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Current knowledge in the biology of gametes and embryos from Carnivora
Ist Teil von
Theriogenology, 2023-01, Vol.196, p.254-263
Ort / Verlag
United States: Elsevier Inc
Erscheinungsjahr
2023
Link zum Volltext
Quelle
Alma/SFX Local Collection
Beschreibungen/Notizen
In addition to companion animals and laboratory species, about 270 carnivore species play fundamental ecological roles in different ecosystems. However, almost 40% of carnivore species are now threatened or endangered in the wild because of human activities. While protection of natural habitats is critical, it is equally important to better understand carnivore reproduction, including a solid knowledge in sperm, oocyte, and embryo biology, to maintain sustainable populations in the wild and in conservation breeding centers. Characterizing gamete and embryo biology is also needed to develop cryopreservation and assisted reproductive technologies to enhance conservation efforts. The objective of this review is to provide the most recent knowledge in the biology of sperm cells, oocytes, and early embryos across all carnivore families. Overall, most data originate from populations maintained in breeding centers or zoos. Characterizations of sperm biology and cryopreservation are far more advanced than for oocytes and embryos. Currently, sperm biology is mainly studied in Canids, Felids, Ursids, and Mustelids, with more emphasis on structural than functional properties. Importantly, fundamental studies of gamete and embryo biology in domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets have paved the way for more precise characterizations in wild counterparts as well as the development of cryopreservation and assisted reproductive technologies. A striking feature of spermatozoa across a wide range of Canids and Felids is the presence of teratospermia (>60% of abnormal sperm cells), which is related to the loss of genetic diversity in some populations. Although sperm structures differ across carnivore families, sperm biology remains difficult to compare because of the small amount of data in many species. Regarding oocyte biology and embryology, data are much scarcer than in sperm cells, with too few studies going beyond structural descriptions. More carnivore species and more individuals (especially from wild populations in addition to captive ones) must be studied to improve our understanding about comparative germplasm biology and develop adequate conservation breeding strategies including the use of cryobanking and assisted reproductive technologies.
•Canids, Felids, Ursids, and Mustelids are the most studied families in terms of reproductive traits and sperm biology.•Across all carnivore species, there are fewer reports on the characterizations of oocyte and embryo biology.•Comparisons of gamete and embryo biology between carnivore families is challenging because of the small amount data in many species.•Except for Canids, Felids, Ursids, and Mustelids, sperm, oocyte, and embryo cryopreservation is inexistent in the other carnivore families.•Lack of fundamental knowledge in oocytes and embryos has limited the development of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in carnivores.