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Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation pp 205–239Cite as

Reproduction and Advances in Reproductive Studies in Carnivores

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 753))

Abstract

Reproductive mechanisms are extraordinarily diverse among species, even within the same phylogenetic clade. Due to this, it has been difficult to directly apply reproductive technologies developed in human and livestock to genetically manage ex situ wildlife, including carnivores. To date, more common, closely related species, e.g., domestic cats, dogs and ferrets have served as valuable models for developing reproductive technologies for managing rare, endangered carnivores. Artificial insemination and sperm cryopreservation have already been successfully used to manage ex situ populations in some carnivore species, such as the black-footed ferret, cheetah and giant panda. However, technologies aiming at preserving genetics of valuable females have not been fully developed in carnivores, due to the lack of fundamental knowledge about reproductive anatomy and physiology, gamete development, embryogenesis and cryopreservation. The present chapter is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on current knowledge about carnivore reproduction, with emphasis on species diversity in reproductive mechanisms. The second part highlights the progress in reproductive science and related technologies made during the last decade. In addition, we provide examples of how reproductive technologies can contribute to carnivore management and conservation. Although carnivores are comprised of 19 families, we will only focus our attention on four taxonomic groups, including felids, canids, ursids and mustelids.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Reproduction Biology, Leibniz-Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, Berlin, Germany

    Katarina Jewgenow

  2. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA

    Nucharin Songsasen D.V.M., Ph.D.

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  1. Katarina Jewgenow
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  2. Nucharin Songsasen D.V.M., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Nucharin Songsasen D.V.M., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    William V. Holt

  2. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA

    Janine L. Brown

  3. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA

    Pierre Comizzoli

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Jewgenow, K., Songsasen, N. (2014). Reproduction and Advances in Reproductive Studies in Carnivores. In: Holt, W., Brown, J., Comizzoli, P. (eds) Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 753. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_10

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