Oviductal Extracellular Vesicles Improve Post-ThawSperm Function in Red Wolves and Cheetahs

Another exciting publication from a group from Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in the International journal of molecular sciences. Artificial insemination (AI) is a valuable tool for ex situ wildlife conservation, allowing the re-infusion and dissemination of genetic material, even after death of the donor. However, the application of AI to species conservation is still limited, due mainly to the poor survival of cryopreserved sperm. In this work the authors showed that dog and cat oEVs carry proteins important for sperm function and improve post-thaw motility and/or acrosome integrity of red wolf and cheetah sperm in vitro.

The full study can be read here - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/10/3733/htm