Development of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Bears
Sun bear mother and cub
Of the eight ursid species, six are endangered or threatened. Several species, including the giant panda, sun bear, and spectacled bear, have not achieved self-sufficiency in captivity. Semen collection and artificial insemination (AI) have been studied most intensively in the giant panda, but only 25 percent of attempts have been successful. Chief among the causes of AI failure is poor quality semen and inability to pinpoint the time of ovulation.
In combination with studies to improve semen collection, evaluation, and cryopreservation techniques, we are refining endocrine monitoring to gain greater insight into the optimum time for insemination. The objective of this study is to utilize assisted reproductive technologies of AI—superovulation, oocyte retrieval, intercytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF)—to enhance the propagation of captive bears.
