World's First IVF Puppies (PIP)

[orangeblossom]

www.cnn.com/2015/12/09/world/world-first-ivf-dogs/index.html

(CNN)Researchers in the U.S. have created the world's first litter of puppies through in vitro fertilization (IVF), a breakthrough they say could help eradicate diseases in dogs -- and in humans.



Seven puppies were born in July from 19 embryos implanted into a host female dog, according to scientists from Cornell University and the Smithsonian Institution.



"Since the mid-1970s, people have been trying to do [IVF] in a dog and have been unsuccessful," co-author Alex Travis, associate professor of reproductive biology at the Baker Institute for Animal Health in Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine said in a statement.



Past attempts have failed because dogs have different reproductive systems to most mammals.


The researchers found that if canine eggs were left just one extra day in the oviduct they had a much better chance of being fertilized. And when magnesium was added to the cell culture, it helped mimic conditions inside the female canine reproductive tract, which unlike many other animals helps to prepare the egg for sperm.



"We made those two changes, and now we achieve success in fertilization rates at 80 to 90%," Travis said.



An extra challenge was the small window in which to implant the embryo during the dogs' reproductive cycle. The embryos had to be frozen while the researchers waited for the right moment, which only happens once or twice a year.



What happens next?

The pups, healthy and now five months old were bred from a combination of pairings. Two of the puppies are from a beagle mother and a cocker spaniel father, and the other five were from two sets of beagle fathers and mothers.



The techniques used to create the pups are vital for progress in saving endangered dogs, curing diseases prevalent in certain breeds of dogs, and researching cures for human conditions.



Dogs share more than 350 similar heritable disorders and traits with humans -- almost twice the number as any other species -- according to the study, published in the journal Public Library of Science ONE, meaning that the research could be invaluable in furthering our understanding of human ailments.




The simple ability to breed dogs via IVF could help save endangered species, including the African painted dog, otherwise known as the African wild dog. As few as 3,000 are believed to exist in the wild, in parts of south Africa and the southern part of East Africa.



And the opportunity to work with genes could help more common breeds, for example, golden retrievers, who suffer a higher incidence of lymphoma than most other dogs.



Louise Brown Oldham, the first human born by IVF -- or so-called "test tube baby" -- was born in 1978. Since then the practice has become widespread for couples who have difficulty conceiving naturally.

[pixy0stix]

I have many feelings about this. Mainly, why?

[ttt]

I'm so glad someone is doing something about our endangered dog population!

[just]

Dec 10, 2015 17:42:47 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I have many feelings about this. Mainly, why?

I get this feeling too, but I do believe that science for science sake is important and leads to useful discoveries you couldn't have foreseen.

And income from crazy ass dog owners, but ya know, let's focus on the science for now.

[just]

Dec 10, 2015 18:04:54 GMT -5 ttt said:

I'm so glad someone is doing something about our endangered dog population!

I thought this too but if it does help endangered wild dog breeds that's a good thing

[poochy]

Dec 10, 2015 17:42:47 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I have many feelings about this. Mainly, why?

Maybe you should read the article.

[josieposy]

Dec 10, 2015 18:28:37 GMT -5 poochy said:

Dec 10, 2015 17:42:47 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I have many feelings about this. Mainly, why?

Maybe you should read the article.

Heh heh....poochy.....

[pixy0stix]

People are certainly bring catty in the dog thread. I read the article. I still ask why. Breeds dying out doesn't concern me. I'm more worried about the estimated 10 million animals put to death every year because they don't have homes. The research on dogs and how it applies to humans has up to this date been controversial at best.

[ksun]

I can't get behind any of this. I don't care if breeds become extinct. Millions of animals are dying every year in shelters, we don't need to be "breeding" more.

[sushi]

Cute dogs.

What was the question?

My mutt was likely a nearly extinct breed. I can't be objective about this. She was awesome. And I also think that research for any animal helps humans

[ttt]

I just don't believe that money spent on researching dog IVF that may possibly have applications for human medicine is more effective than money spent directly researching human medicine.