Scientists step toward saving rhinoceros
13:06 JST, December 28, 2022
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — An international team including Osaka University has succeeded in creating cells possibly developing into reproductive cells of the northern white rhinoceros, which might pave the way for saving the species on the verge of extinction.
The team has created primordial germ cell-like cells of the rhino in vitro, in the world’s first production of PGC-like cells from induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cells derived from a wild animal. PGC-like cells are the source of sperm and eggs.
The team, including Masafumi Hayashi, a researcher at an Osaka University graduate school, and German and Italian scientists, published an article on the research in U.S. journal Science Advances on Dec. 9.
The northern white rhino used to inhabit the central African continent, but illegal hunting and destruction of nature have drastically reduced its population. The species became extinct in the wild in 2008.
Two males and two females were then relocated to Kenya from a zoo. But the males have since died, making natural mating impossible because the two females are the only remaining northern white rhinos in the world.
The team first developed a technology to produce PGC-like cells from embryonic stem, or ES, cells of the closely related southern white rhinoceros. Applying this technology, the team created PGC-like cells from iPS cells made from skin cells of the northern white rhino.
An artificial insemination technology has already been developed for the northern white rhino, and male sperm has been cryopreserved.
Once a technology to mature the PGC-like cells into eggs is established, it will become possible to breed the species using the preserved sperm, according to the team. Currently, it is expected to take four to five years to produce northern white rhino eggs from the PGC cells.
"Science & Nature" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Study Shows How a Woman’s Brain Reorganizes during Pregnancy
-
Gifu Pref. Aquarium Director Researching Giant Catfish: Reveals They Can Fast for a Year
-
Power Struggle: Serbia Eyes N-Energy to Fuel Future
-
Low-Latitude Aurora Observed in Hokkaido; Influenced by Increased Solar Activity
-
Swarms of Visitors Go Bug-Eyed Over Creepy-Crawlies in Ueno, Tokyo; National Museum of Nature and Science Exhibits Vast Bug Collection
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Harris Widens Lead over Trump to 47%-40%, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
- Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul
- Japan Trying to Draw Digital Nomads, Who Are Seen as Beneficial to Economy, Society
- JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
- Asukayama Monorail in Tokyo: Free to Ride!