Development of ART in large mammalian models
There is increasing need to develop efficient assisted reproductive technologies for large mammalian species – both as experimental models for human fertility preservation and biomedical research applications, and for endangered species conservation. The development of assisted reproductive technologies and transgenesis in the dog has not been as rapid as other species due to their unique reproduction (protracted periods of reproductive acyclicity, ovulation of immature oocytes). Using specifically timed, in vivo collected ova and a sperm handling protocol optimized based on physiological stimulators of capacitation, we produced the first litter of live young from dog IVF and embryo cryopreservation. This technology has broad applications in the future to wild canid conservation efforts, breeding of rare or specialized working dog breeds, and improved efficacy of transgenesis in the dog for biomedical research. Moving forward, we are evaluating the efficacy of some of these techniques in endangered canids as well, including the critically endangered red wolf.
Nagashima, J.B., Ferraz, M.D.A.M.M. (equal contributors), Kamen, S., Songsasen, N. (2020) Investigation into culture media that best support in vitro viability and capacitation of red wolf (Canis rufus) sperm. Reproduction and Fertility 1(1), 83-92. doi: 10.1530/RAF-20-0042.
Nagashima, J.B., Travis, A.J., Songsasen, N. (2019) The domestic dog embryo: in vitro fertilization, culture and transfer. J. Herrick (Ed.) In: Methods in Molecular Biology. Springer Nature. 9566-9560_9518.
Nagashima, J.B., Sylvester, S.R., Nelson, J.L., Cheong, S.H., Mukai, C., Lambo, C., Flanders, J.A., Meyers-Wallen, V.N., Songsasen, N. and Travis, A.J., (2015). Live births from domestic dog (Canis familiaris) embryos produced by in vitro fertilization. PloS one, 10(12).
Harkey, M.A., Asano, A., Nagashima, J., Zoulas, M.E., Torok-Storb, B., Travis, A. (2013) Isolation, genetic manipulation, and transplantation of canine spermatogonial stem cells: Progress toward transgenesis through the male germ line. Reproduction, 146(1) p75-90.
