The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Times Media

.

We created the world's first donkey embryo using IVF in a bid to save species from extinction

  • Written by Andres Gambini, Senior Lecturer, School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland
We created the world's first donkey embryo using IVF in a bid to save species from extinction

You may not realise it, but the world’s donkeys are in trouble: many domestic breeds and wild species are headed for extinction. But my colleagues and I have developed a scientific breakthrough that may contribute to saving them.

We created[1] the world’s first successful donkey embryo using in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The embryo, from an endangered European breed, is frozen in liquid nitrogen. We’re now searching for a suitable female donkey to grow the embryo into a baby.

We hope to apply our findings to help conserve other endangered animals. Hopefully one day, we’ll have a genetic bank of embryos that form a “frozen zoo” – creating another weapon in our conservation ass-enal, so to speak.

donkey face against blue sky
Researchers have developed a scientific breakthrough that may help save donkeys. Shutterstock

Donkeys in decline

Donkeys share the same genus with horses and zebras. They’re thought to have been domesticated[2] about 6,000 years ago and used for transport and food redistribution. They were particularly essential in the overland trade in Africa and western Asia.

Domestic donkeys are still used[3] for transport in parts of Asia, South America and Africa. They are also kept for meat and milk production and as companion animals.

Seven of the 28 European domestic breeds are critically endangered and 20 are endangered. Populations of wild donkey species are also dwindling.

There are several reasons for this. People are using and breeding them less, and their grazing land has declined. Donkeys are also slaughtered for “ejiao”, a key ingredient in traditional Chinese food and remedies produced from collagen in donkey skin.

There’s an urgent need to improve donkey conservation programs to increase the animal’s numbers and distribution, and to broaden the genetic pool.

My research team set out to produce donkey embryos in the laboratory, in the hope of helping to repopulate species. I worked with colleagues from Argentina’s National University of Río Cuarto, and Spain’s University of Córdoba and Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Read more: Feral desert donkeys are digging wells, giving water to parched wildlife[4]

traditional Chinese food made from donkey hide
Traditional Chinese food and remedies, such as the food pictured, use ‘ejiao’ produced from collagen in donkey skin. Shutterstock

What we did

An embryo is the group of cells that form when a female egg is fertilised by male sperm.

Creating a viable donkey embryo is not easy. Once an egg is fertilised in the lab, it has only a 5% to 10% chance of growing into a good embryo that can be implanted into a female. By comparison, for horses the success rate is up to 30%.

We used an IVF process known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It involves injecting a single sperm into the centre of an egg using very fine, specialist equipment.

Importantly, we added a step to the process. Before fertilising the egg, we immersed it for two days in fluids from the female donkey’s ovary. This simulates ovary conditions and gives the egg the molecules and hormones it needs to grow.

After three years of work, we produced the world’s first viable donkey embryo[5]. It is currently frozen in a lab at the University of Cordoba in Spain.

Our research suggests that using ovary fluids as an egg matures in the lab supports the IVF process and could be more likely to lead to a viable embryo. These findings are a step forward in donkey conservation.

We produced the embryo by combining donkey semen with an egg from a different part of Spain. This aimed to avoid inbreeding problems that can occur when trying to reproduce an endangered species.

We hope to create more viable embryos and find suitable female donkeys to implant before the breeding season ends next year.

Read more: Human reproductive technologies like sperm freezing and IVF could be used to save threatened species[6]

four donkeys in dry landscape
The researchers hope to find suitable female donkeys to implant before the breeding season ends. Shutterstock

So what next?

Throughout my research career, I’ve used assisted reproductive technologies to improve the genetic progress in a range of domestic animals. In 2020, for example, I and my colleagues reported the first in vitro zebra embryos[7]. We now have ten frozen zebra embryos in storage, including clones.

We hope to build on our donkey embryo development, using IVF to improve the prospects of other endangered species.

Read more: Scientists release world-first DNA map of an endangered Australian mouse, and it will help to save it[8]

Read more https://theconversation.com/we-created-the-worlds-first-donkey-embryo-using-ivf-in-a-bid-to-save-species-from-extinction-194903

The Times Features

Designer Wardrobe reports surge in pre-loved wedding gowns

As Australia’s wedding season approaches, and amidst a challenging cost of living backdrop, new insights from Designer Wardrobe reveal that Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) brid...

DIY Bathroom Remodel: Essential Tips for a Fresh Look

As the home improvement craze continues to grow, more folks are diving into the world of DIY projects to transform their living spaces. Among these, bathroom remodels have gain...

STI rates are increasing among midlife and older adults. We need to talk about it

Globally, the rates of common sexually transmissible infections[1] (STIs) are increasing among people aged over 50. In some cases, rates are rising faster than among younger pe...

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Why Tinybeans+ Gift Cards are a game-changer for new parents

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising a child in the digital age, one question looms large: how do you preserve and share your baby's milestones without co...

Group Adventures Made Easy: How to Coordinate Shuttle Services from DCA to IAD

Traveling as a large group can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating busy airports like DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and IAD (Washington...

From Anxiety to Assurance: Proven Strategies to Support Your Child's Emotional Health

Navigating the intricate landscape of childhood emotions can be a daunting task for any parent, especially when faced with common fears and anxieties. However, transforming anxie...

Times Magazine

Insider Tips to Improve Your Dota 2 Matches

Dota 2 matches are the ultimate test of skill and strategy. Two teams of five battle it out on a virtual battlefield, with each player controlling a powerful hero with unique abilities. The objective of the game is to defeat the opposing team by de...

Fair Dinkum! Aussie slang takes a decade to learn

- New research shows just how foreign Aussie culture is to migrants- Takes 10 years for the average expat to have a confident grasp on Aussie slang- Queensland expats pick up slang faster than in other states- More female expats will try Vegemite vs...

Educational Benefits of Baby Activity Play Mats

Becoming a parent is a significant step in life, and one must be well-prepared to ensure the safety and development of their child. A baby activity play mat is an essential tool for any new parent to provide a safe and stimulating environment for the...

Chemical Bunds and its needs

If you have a business that involves water and wastewater treatment, banding could be an essential element to prevent leaking store chemicals and protecting the environment. The guidance you would get on bunding chemical manufacturing or in petro...

Stylish Costume Ideas for Adults

Costumes for adults can be a fun way to dress up for any occasion. Whether you are attending a costume party, or simply want to have some fun and show off your creativity, there is a wide array of options available that cater to all tastes and bu...

Navigating the Pipeline of Success: Exploring Certificate III in Plumbing

In the realm of vocational education and training (VET), few paths offer the blend of practical skills, job security, and professional fulfilment as plumbing. Certificate III in Plumbing stands as a cornerstone qualification for those aspiring to j...