ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN NONDOMESTIC UNGULATES - A MODEL APPROACH TO PRESERVING AND MANAGING GENETIC DIVERSITY

The application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to conservat ion biology has tremendous potential in the management and preservatio n of germ plasm from nondomestic ungulate species. Traditional approac hes of superovulation and nonsurgical embryo recovery have been hamper ed in these species by inconsistent responses to commercially availabl e gonadotropin preparations and by substantial interspecific variation s in the details of reproductive regulatory processes. Although our ge neral knowledge of reproductive physiology is improving, it appears th at the production of embryos by IVF will more efficiently advance wild life conservation efforts. This technology is already proving to he a powerful tool for rescuing gametes (sperm and oocytes) directly from t he gonads of wildlife after death or gonadectomy. Other advanced proce dures, like sperm microinjection and assisted hatching, may prove nece ssary for optimizing in vitro embryo production and in vivo developmen tal competence. Finally, there is a need to direct research attention to pathogen interactions with the zona pellucida (i.e. zona adherence and washing practices) to enhance the approved importation bf valuable genetic material from free-ranging animals.