In a groundbreaking development for rhinoceros reproductive health, scientists have announced a world-first successful impregnation of a southern white rhino through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The achievement, part of the BioRescue project, opens up the possibility of saving the critically endangered northern white rhino species from extinction.
The northern white rhinos currently face a dire situation, with only two remaining individuals, Najin and Fatu, both infertile females, living under constant surveillance in Kenya. Despite their inability to reproduce naturally, there is a ray of hope in the form of living cells from 12 different northern white rhinos, preserved in liquid nitrogen in Italy and Germany.
The impregnation of the southern white rhino represents a collaborative international effort to rescue the species. The process involved the collection of sperm from a southern white rhinoceros named Athos at Zoo Salzburg in Austria and egg cells from Elenore, a southern white rhinoceros residing in the Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium. These samples were then transferred to Italy, where fertilization occurred through in vitro methods.
Subsequently, two embryos were transported to Kenya and implanted in a surrogate mother named Curra at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in September 2023. The implantation process included the use of a male “teaser” bull, Ouwan, to stimulate typical mating behaviors. However, a tragic turn of events occurred in November when both Curra and Ouwan were found dead, believed to have succumbed to a severe bacterial infection caused by heavy rains and climate change-related factors that flooded the surrogate enclosure.
Despite this setback, it was discovered that Curra was pregnant with a 70-day-old male fetus at the time of her death. Tissue analysis confirmed that the pregnancy resulted from the earlier embryo transfer.
Thomas Hildebrandt, the project head of BioRescue, acknowledged that the entire process was “uncharted territory,” with the team having to develop procedures, protocols, methods, and equipment from scratch.
Looking ahead, scientists involved in the project outlined the next steps in the research program. These include selecting a new southern white rhino surrogate mother and teaser bull and developing a northern white rhino embryo for implantation in the chosen surrogate. The ultimate goal is for the offspring to coexist with Najin and Fatu, providing an opportunity for them to learn the behaviors unique to the northern white rhino species.
The BioRescue project’s groundbreaking work offers a glimmer of hope for the northern white rhino, a species teetering on the brink of extinction. By leveraging assisted reproductive technologies and international collaboration, scientists aim to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of these majestic creatures. The journey, though marked by challenges and setbacks, underscores the resilience of conservation efforts and the commitment to securing a future for endangered species.
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