Sex and wildlife: the role of reproductive science in conservation

This essay explains the role of reproductive science, including what are te rmed reproductive technologies (i.e. artificial insemination, in vitro fert ilization, embryo transfer, cloning), in conservation biology. Reproductive techniques (high- and low-tech) find their greatest application in underst anding species uniqueness, adaptations and physiological mechanisms, not in the large-scale assisted breeding and the production of offspring. Models of how to use these tools to study reproductive fitness are emerging to hel p insure gene diversity and even propagate endangered species, but only aft er fundamental databases have been developed. Examples are provided of how non-invasive hormone metabolite monitoring, artificial insemination and gen ome resource banking are being used ex situ and in situ to understand wildl ife biology. We predict that as the fundamental, multi-species database gro ws, so will the applied benefits for: (1) developing genome banks for insur ing extant genetic diversity; (2) assessing the relationship of physiology, behaviour and environmental perturbations; (3) managing small populations; and (4) dealing with dilemmas ranging from contraception to skewed sex rat ios to animal welfare. Most progress will be made in using these tools in s ystematic studies to solve the mystery of how thousands of unstudied specie s reproduce. Carried out appropriately, financial costs will be consistent with any approach for generating sound scientific knowledge.