Owing to a drastic decline in the population of wild cats and a growing interest among cat breeders, the development of assisted reproductive techniques for felines has been an important subject of research over the last decade. In this paper we describe the present state of knowledge and prospects for development in this field. The paper is divided into sections dealing with the collection and preservation of semen, artificial insemination, oocyte collection, in vitro fertilization and cryopreservation of eggs. The paper also discusses the apoptotic events occurring in gametes, which are crucial for the development of assisted reproductive techniques.
The use of assisted reproductive techniques in wild felids (Felidae) is currently the subject of research in many scientific centers all around the world. Despite the described success, the pregnancy rates obtained as the result of artificial insemination or embryo transfer are low and the litters are small, which is a limiting factor for wider use of reproduction biotechnology in wild felids. The lack of sufficient knowledge about endocrinology of individual members of the Felidae family and the inability to optimize female hormonal stimulation is given as a reason of failure by many authors. This paper presents methods of control of ovarian cycle in wild animals, characteristic features of reproduction of the family Felidae, and methods of the induction of estrus and ovulation. The paper also draws attention to endocrine disorders that occur in felines after hormonal stimulation and describes attempts to minimize them by prestimulatory down-regulation of ovarian activity.
Currently ART (assisted reproductive technology) is assuming one of the most important places in animal reproduction. Till the present, the main interest concerned the oocytes and embryos in laboratory and in producing animals. Nowadays, with the improvement of ART, as well as gradually increasing interest in endangered species, the interest in using these techniques is shifting toward other animals. Because of this fact, ART procedures concerning domestic cats have progressed significantly in the last years. Domestic cats are a very suitable model for the investigation of endangered feline species. The following paper discusses the current procedures of obtaining oocytes from domestic cats as well as their in vitro development.