World-First Reproductive Techniques: South African Veterinary Association Pioneers Assisted Reproduction in Rhinos to Preserve Endangered Species
South Africa, Johannesburg: The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) has embarked on an extraordinary journey alongside Rhino Repro which aims at pioneering the world-first reproductive techniques to combat the threat of extinction facing endangered rhino species. This ground-breaking initiative aims to preserve and protect these majestic creatures through innovative assisted reproduction methods.
Driven by a deep commitment to conservation, Rhino Repro’s dedicated team of veterinarians and researchers have achieved remarkable milestones in their quest to save endangered rhinos. Leveraging their expertise and cutting-edge technology, they have successfully developed and implemented assisted reproductive techniques for rhinos, marking a significant leap forward in global conservation efforts.
Rhino Repro’s ground-breaking approach encompasses the harvesting, maturing, and fertilisation of oocytes (a developing egg), followed by embryo transfer into surrogate mothers. By optimising these techniques on Southern White rhinos (SWRs), close relatives of the critically endangered Northern White rhinos (NWRs), the team is paving the way for the future preservation of the NWR species. Their ultimate goal is to harvest oocytes from the remaining NWR females, mature and fertilise them using previously stored NWR semen, or utilise banked NWR genetic material and reconstruct embryos through nuclear transfer (cloning) and generate a large-scale supply of embryos that can be cryo-preserved or transferred to SWR surrogate mothers.
Dr. Morné de la Rey, founder of the Rhino Repro, a visionary veterinarian leading the Rhino Repro team, emphasised the importance of their ground-breaking work. “Our pioneering reproductive techniques are truly a global first, offering a glimmer of hope for the endangered rhino species. By pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and harnessing the power of assisted reproduction, we are determined to secure a future for these majestic animals.”
Over the past five years, the Rhino Repro team has progressed from understanding the intricate reproductive anatomy of rhinos to successfully collecting and maturing oocytes from SWRs. Their state-of-the-art procedures have yielded impressive results, with an average of 5.5 oocytes collected per procedure in 2022 and a record-breaking 18 oocytes collected from a single procedure.
In addition to the critical focus on the NWR species, Rhino Repro’s innovative approaches have shown promising results for the breeding challenges faced by other rhino species, such as SWRs affected by poaching stress and orphaned circumstances. Their revolutionary techniques have provided invaluable insights into the natural reproductive cycles of rhinos and have even contributed to improving the reproductive health of individual cows, leading to successful natural reproduction in previously infertile or compromised rhinos.
The success of these world-first reproductive techniques relies on the support and generosity of the public and the wider business community. Financial contributions play a crucial role in advancing research, expanding procedures, and increasing the chances of producing blastocyst embryos.
“Preserving the endangered rhino species is not solely the responsibility of the greater team; it is a collective endeavour involving the entire veterinary community and our nation as a whole,” emphasised Dr. Paul van der Merwe, President of the South African Veterinary Association. “Together, we can pioneer world-first techniques that will safeguard the future of these magnificent creatures and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
Source: South African Veterinary Association (SAVA)
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