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Dussex N, Morales HE, Grossen C, Dalén L, van Oosterhout C. Purging and accumulation of genetic load in conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:961-969. [PMID: 37344276 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Our ability to assess the threat posed by the genetic load to small and declining populations has been greatly improved by advances in genome sequencing and computational approaches. Yet, considerable confusion remains around the definitions of the genetic load and its dynamics, and how they impact individual fitness and population viability. We illustrate how both selective purging and drift affect the distribution of deleterious mutations during population size decline and recovery. We show how this impacts the composition of the genetic load, and how this affects the extinction risk and recovery potential of populations. We propose a framework to examine load dynamics and advocate for the introduction of load estimates in the management of endangered populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dussex
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Erling Skakkes Gate 47A, 7012 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Hernán E Morales
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christine Grossen
- WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cock van Oosterhout
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
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Huijsmans TERG, Hassan HA, Smits K, Van Soom A. Postmortem Collection of Gametes for the Conservation of Endangered Mammals: A Review of the Current State-of-the-Art. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081360. [PMID: 37106923 PMCID: PMC10135332 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The collection of gametes from recently deceased domestic and wildlife mammals has been well documented in the literature. Through the utilization of gametes recovered postmortem, scientists have successfully produced embryos in 10 different wildlife species, while in 2 of those, offspring have also been born. Thus, the collection of gametes from recently deceased animals represents a valuable opportunity to increase genetic resource banks, obviating the requirement for invasive procedures. Despite the development of several protocols for gamete collection, the refinement of these techniques and the establishment of species-specific protocols are still required, taking into account both the limitations and the opportunities. In the case of wildlife, the optimization of such protocols is impeded by the scarcity of available animals, many of which have a high genetic value that must be protected rather than utilized for research purposes. Therefore, optimizing protocols for wildlife species by using domestic species as a model is crucial. In this review, we focused on the current advancements in the collection, preservation, and utilization of gametes, postmortem, in selected species belonging to Equidae, Bovidae, and Felidae, both domestic and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim E R G Huijsmans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction, and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hiba Ali Hassan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction, and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction, and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction, and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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Kutara K, Kadekaru S, Sugisawa R, Saito F, Une Y. Congenital systemic chondrodysplasia in a white lion (
Panthera leo
). Vet Record Case Reports 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kutara
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Okayama University of Science Imabari Ehime Japan
| | - Sho Kadekaru
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Okayama University of Science Imabari Ehime Japan
| | | | - Fumiyo Saito
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Okayama University of Science Imabari Ehime Japan
| | - Yumi Une
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Okayama University of Science Imabari Ehime Japan
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Bolton RL, Mooney A, Pettit MT, Bolton AE, Morgan L, Drake GJ, Appeltant R, Walker SL, Gillis JD, Hvilsom C. Resurrecting biodiversity: advanced assisted reproductive technologies and biobanking. Reproduction and Fertility 2022; 3:R121-R146. [PMID: 35928671 PMCID: PMC9346332 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity is defined as the presence of a variety of living organisms on the Earth that is essential for human survival. However, anthropogenic activities are causing the sixth mass extinction, threatening even our own species. For many animals, dwindling numbers are becoming fragmented populations with low genetic diversity, threatening long-term species viability. With extinction rates 1000–10,000 times greater than natural, ex situ and in situ conservation programmes need additional support to save species. The indefinite storage of cryopreserved (−196°C) viable cells and tissues (cryobanking), followed by assisted or advanced assisted reproductive technology (ART: utilisation of oocytes and spermatozoa to generate offspring; aART: utilisation of somatic cell genetic material to generate offspring), may be the only hope for species’ long-term survival. As such, cryobanking should be considered a necessity for all future conservation strategies. Following cryopreservation, ART/aART can be used to reinstate lost genetics back into a population, resurrecting biodiversity. However, for this to be successful, species-specific protocol optimisation and increased knowledge of basic biology for many taxa are required. Current ART/aART is primarily focused on mammalian taxa; however, this needs to be extended to all, including to some of the most endangered species: amphibians. Gamete, reproductive tissue and somatic cell cryobanking can fill the gap between losing genetic diversity today and future technological developments. This review explores species prioritisation for cryobanking and the successes and challenges of cryopreservation and multiple ARTs/aARTs. We here discuss the value of cryobanking before more species are lost and the potential of advanced reproductive technologies not only to halt but also to reverse biodiversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon L Bolton
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
| | | | - Matt T Pettit
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
- IMT International Limited, Tattenhall, Chester, UK
| | - Anthony E Bolton
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
| | - Lucy Morgan
- Gemini Genetics, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, UK
| | | | - Ruth Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women’s Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Susan L Walker
- Nature’s SAFE, Chapel Field Stud, Ash Lane, Whitchurch, Shropshire, UK
- Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, UK
| | - James D Gillis
- South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, Yulee, Florida, USA
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Gustafson KD, Gagne RB, Buchalski MR, Vickers TW, Riley SP, Sikich JA, Rudd JL, Dellinger JA, LaCava ME, Ernest HB. Multi‐population puma connectivity could restore genomic diversity to at‐risk coastal populations in California. Evol Appl 2021; 15:286-299. [PMID: 35233248 PMCID: PMC8867711 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is decreasing wildlife habitat and connectivity worldwide, including for apex predators, such as the puma (Puma concolor). Puma populations along California's central and southern coastal habitats have experienced rapid fragmentation from development, leading to calls for demographic and genetic management. To address urgent conservation genomic concerns, we used double‐digest restriction‐site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing to analyze 16,285 genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 401 pumas sampled broadly across the state. Our analyses indicated support for 4–10 geographically nested, broad‐ to fine‐scale genetic clusters. At the broadest scale, the four genetic clusters had high genetic diversity and exhibited low linkage disequilibrium, indicating that pumas have retained genomic diversity statewide. However, multiple lines of evidence indicated substructure, including 10 finer‐scale genetic clusters, some of which exhibited fixed alleles and linkage disequilibrium. Fragmented populations along the Southern Coast and Central Coast had particularly low genetic diversity and strong linkage disequilibrium, indicating genetic drift and close inbreeding. Our results demonstrate that genetically at risk populations are typically nested within a broader‐scale group of interconnected populations that collectively retain high genetic diversity and heterogenous fixations. Thus, extant variation at the broader scale has potential to restore diversity to local populations if management actions can enhance vital gene flow and recombine locally sequestered genetic diversity. These state‐ and genome‐wide results are critically important for science‐based conservation and management practices. Our nested population genomic analysis highlights the information that can be gained from population genomic studies aiming to provide guidance for the conservation of fragmented populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle D. Gustafson
- Arkansas State University Department of Biological Sciences Jonesboro 72401
| | - Roderick B. Gagne
- University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Department of Pathobiology Kennett Square Wildlife Futures Program PA USA
| | | | - T. Winston Vickers
- University of California ‐ Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center Davis 95616
| | - Seth P.D. Riley
- National Park Service Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 401 W. Hillcrest Dr Thousand Oaks 91360
| | - Jeff A. Sikich
- National Park Service Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area 401 W. Hillcrest Dr Thousand Oaks 91360
| | - Jaime L. Rudd
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife Rancho Cordova 95670
| | | | - Melanie E.F. LaCava
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory Department of Veterinary Sciences University of Wyoming Laramie 82071
| | - Holly B. Ernest
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory Department of Veterinary Sciences University of Wyoming Laramie 82071
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