Work

Understanding and Assisting Reproduction in Wildlife Species Using Microfluidics

Year: 2020

Type: review

Abstract: Conservation breeding and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are invaluable tools to save wild animal species that are on the brink of extinction. Microfluidic devices recently developed for human or domestic animal reproductive medicine could significantly help to increase knowledge about fertility and contribute to the success of ART in wildlife. Some of these microfluidic tools could be applied to wild species, but dedicated efforts will be necessary to meet specific needs in animal conservation; for example, they need to be cost-effective, applicable to multiple species, and field-friendly. Microfluidics represents only one powerful technology in a complex toolbox and must be integrated with other approaches to be impactful in managing wildlife reproduction.

Source: Trends in biotechnology

DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.08.012

Authors: Séverine Le Gac, Marcia Ferraz, Bastien Venzac, Pierre Comizzoli

Institutions: University of Twente, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park

Language: English

Topic: Reproductive Biology and Fertility

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,000