Conservation of avian germplasm by interspecies spermatogonial transplantation: influence of recipient age on restoration of spermatogenesis by donor cells

• Grant number: 12/08621-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Jose Garcia Pereira
• Grantee: Ricardo Jose Garcia Pereira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

According to the latest assessment of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), about 12.5% of the total 9,920 extant bird species in the world are threatened with extinction. This uncertain future facing wild birds emphasizes the importance of captive breeding programs for the conservation of a number of avian species. Assisted reproductive technologies such as sperm freezing and artificial insemination offer potential practical benefits for overcoming breeding difficulties encountered with wild birds. Nevertheless, despite the progress in freezing semen of domestic species, there is limited success with this technique in nondomestic species. An alternative approach to overcome this problem is to preserve germplasm through germ cell transplantation between different individuals or species. Recently, Pereira et al. [manuscript in preparation - Appendix I] confirmed that transfer of testicular germ cells between adult quail and chicken resulted in colonization of the seminiferous tublues by donor spermatogonia, but without complete restoration of the spermatogenesis. One fator possibly involved in the arrest of spermatogenesis is recipient age at transplantation, due to its influence in the accessibility to the testicular stem cell niche. Thus, this project aims to investigate the impact of recipient age on the success of spermatogonial xenotransplantation in the quail-chicken model. The results of this research will bring information that may elucidate some of the current obstacles to the use of interspecific transplantation for conservation of rare or endangered birds. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FREDIANI, MAYRA H.; GUIDA, FERNANDA J. V.; SALGADO, PAULA A. B.; GONCALVES, DEBORA R.; BLANK, MARCEL H.; NOVAES, GABRIEL A.; PEREIRA, RICARDO J. G.. Semen collection by electro-stimulation in a variety of bird orders. Theriogenology, v. 125, p. 140-151, FEB 2019. (16/17158-4, 12/08621-1)

BLANK, M. H.; NOVAES, G. A.; LOSANO, J. D. A.; SANT'ANNA, S. S.; VIEIRA, S. E. M.; GREGO, K. F.; PEREIRA, R. J. G.. Insights on sperm assays and cryopreservation in six Neotropical pit vipers. CRYOBIOLOGY, v. 106, p. 11-pg., 2022-06-01. (12/08621-1)

FREDIANI, MAYRA H.; PIZZUTTO, CRISTIANE S.; ALVES, MAIRA B. R.; PEREIRA, RICARDO J. G.. Effect of simple and low-cost enrichment items on behavioral, clinical, and productive variables of caged laying hens. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL WELFARE SCIENCE, v. 22, n. 2, p. 139-148, APR 3 2019. (12/15730-1, 12/08621-1)

BLANK, MARCEL H.; DE OLIVEIRA, MARCOS J.; CUBAS, ZALMIR S.; DE MORAE, WANDERLEI; MOREIRA, NEI; PEREIRA, RICARDO J. G.. Fecal sex steroids and reproductive behaviors in harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja). ZOO BIOLOGY, v. 39, n. 5, JUL 2020. (12/08621-1)

RUI, BRUNO R.; SHIBUYA, FABIO Y.; KAWAOKU, ALLISON J. T.; LOSANO, JOAO D. A.; ANGRIMANI, DANIEL S. R.; DALMAZZO, ANDRESSA; NICHI, MARCILIO; PEREIRA, RICARDO J. G.. Impact of induced levels of specific free radicals and, malondialdehyde on chicken semen quality and fertility. Theriogenology, v. 90, p. 11-19, MAR 1 2017. (12/08621-1)

RUI, BRUNO R.; ANGRIMANI, DANIEL S. R.; LOSANO, JOAO DIEGO A.; BICUDO, LUANA DE CASSIA; NICHI, MARCILIO; PEREIRA, RICARDO J. G.. Validation of simple and cost-effective stains to assess acrosomal status, DNA damage and mitochondrial activity in rooster spermatozoa. Animal Reproduction Science, v. 187, p. 133-140, DEC 2017. (12/08621-1)