Chapters authored
Applied Biotechnologies in the Conservation of Wild Felids: In Vitro Embryo Production and Cellular Regenerative Therapies
This review consist of a complete recompilation of advances made in in vitro embryo production (IVP) and cellular therapies in the domestic cat and wild felids species. Actually, the domestic cat is considered a valuable model for the development of assisted reproductive techniques and cellular regenerative therapies that might be used in the conservation of endangered felids. The in vitro embryo production technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been applied in different species of small wild felid and big felids, resulting in live birth in some cases. However, more studies are needed to improve the efficiency of these techniques and maximize their use in the reproduction and conservation of wild felids. On the other hand, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapies have been increasingly used in the veterinary medicine. Recent studies had reported the use of MSCs in the treatment of some chronic diseases in the domestic cat. For these reasons, the MSCs therapies are projected as a promising alternative for the treatments of chronic diseases that might affect wild felids that live in zoos, which could be caused by their captive environment conditions.
Part of the book: Big Cats