Abstract
A detailed understanding of the cryobiology of gametes and complex tissues has led to the development of methods that facilitate the successful low temperature banking of isolated mature human oocytes, or immature oocytes in situ within fragments of human ovarian cortex. Although many outstanding research challenges remain to be addressed, the successful development of new treatments to preserve female fertility for a range of clinical indications has largely been underpinned by the conduct of extensive, fundamental research on oocytes and ovarian tissues from a number of laboratory and commercially important farm species. Indeed, the most recent evidence from large animals suggests that it is also possible to cryopreserve intact whole ovaries along with their supporting vasculature for later auto-transplantation and restoration of natural fertility. This review will explore how the methods developed to preserve human oocytes and ovarian tissues can now be used strategically to support the development of conservation strategies aimed at safeguarding the genetic diversity of commercially important domestic animals and also of preserving the female germplasm for wild animals and endangered species.
Highlights
In the last few decades, advances in cryobiology have been combined with the development of new assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) and used as a means to cryopreserve the structural integrity and biological function of key reproductive cells
The issue of fertility preservation is relevant in animals as over the last two decades, some 300 of 6000 farm animal breeds have become extinct and a further 1350 domestic breeds are being threatened with extinction as a result of aggressive animal breeding strategies using limited genetic stocks of animals of high merit for a range of economically valuable traits (Taberlet et al, 2008)
This review aims to provide an overview of the recent advances in human oocyte and ovarian tissue banking and how these clinical reproductive technologies can be used to support fertility conservation strategies in animals
Summary
In the last few decades, advances in cryobiology have been combined with the development of new assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) and used as a means to cryopreserve the structural integrity and biological function of key reproductive cells. Translation of these research advances has resulted in the development of the capacity to cryopreserve and long-term store isolated gametes, embryos, complex gonadal tissues and even whole reproductive organs in humans and laboratory species as well as commercially important farm animal breeds and a limited number of exotic or endangered species. The issue of fertility preservation is relevant in animals as over the last two decades, some 300 of 6000 farm animal breeds have become extinct and a further 1350 domestic breeds are being threatened with extinction as a result of aggressive animal breeding strategies using limited genetic stocks of animals of high merit for a range of economically valuable traits (Taberlet et al, 2008)
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