Scientists from the Department of Reproduction with the Department of Farm Animals at the University of Life Sciences in Wrocław are working on saving endangered animal species, in particular from the felidae family. Out of 39 feline species, 38 are in danger of extinction. Only the domestic cat is not endangered.

The team of Prof. Wojciech Niżański with the help of in vitro techniques wants to save endangered species by implementing and improving the methods developed on the material obtained from domestic cats in wild felines.

– We collect male and female cells from endangered zoo animals when they are anaesthetized during other treatments or vaccinations. We obtain sperm and egg cells in a simple and non-traumatic way and freeze them in liquid nitrogen – says Prof. Niżański.

Frozen sperm, oocytes, and embryos of endangered individuals will be stored until researchers are ready to use this genetic material to produce felines.

More: https://upwr.edu.pl/aktualnosci/czy-kot-domowy-moze-uratowac-tygrysa-3580.html