Understanding and Assisting Reproduction in Wildlife Species Using Microfluidics

Conservation breeding and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are invaluable tools to save wild animal species that are on the brink of extinction. Microfluidic devices recently developed for human or domestic animal reproductive medicine could significantly help to increase knowledge about fertility and contribute to the success of ART in wildlife. Some of these microfluidic tools could be applied to wild species, but dedicated efforts will be necessary to meet specific needs in animal conservation; for example, they need to be costeffective, applicable to multiple species, and field-friendly. Microfluidics represents only one powerful technology in a complex toolbox and must be integrated with other approaches to be impactful in managing wildlife reproduction.

Automated summary

Conservation breeding and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are crucial for saving endangered wild animal species. Microfluidic devices developed for human or domestic animal reproductive medicine can be beneficial for wildlife ART success, but dedicated efforts are needed to customize them for specific conservation needs. Integration with other approaches is essential for impactful wildlife reproduction management.