Embryonic diapause in roe deer: A model to unravel embryo-maternal communication during pre-implantation development in wildlife and livestock species
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2020-12
Publication Type
Review Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Abstract
An alarming number of large mammalian species with low reproduction rates is threatened with extinction. As basic knowledge of reproductive physiology is currently lacking in many species, increasing the understanding of reproductive physiology is imperative and includes the development of novel artificial reproduction technologies. Despite the relatively comprehensive knowledge on molecular mechanisms underlying reproduction in livestock species such as cattle, pregnancy failures are likewise far from understood. Contrary to other wildlife species, the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) displays a remarkably high pregnancy rate. In parts, cattle and roe deer exhibit comparable features of preimplantation embryo development. Therefore, understanding the high fertility rate in the roe deer holds a great potential for cross-species knowledge gain. As the only known species among the artiodactylae, the roe deer displays a long period of embryonic diapause. The preimplantation blastocyst reaches a diameter of 1 mm only at around 4 months compared to around 13 days post estrus in cattle. The expanded blastocyst survives in a uterine microenvironment that contains a unique set of yet unidentified factors that allow embryonic stem cells to proliferate at low pace without impairing their developmental potential. Upon reactivation, intimate embryo-maternal communication comparable to those reported in cattle is thought to occur. In this review, current knowledge, parallels and differences of reproductive physiology in cattle and roe deer are reviewed. The roe deer is proposed as a unique model species to (1) enhance our knowledge of fertility processes, (2) define factors that support embryo survival for an extended period, (3) advance knowledge on embryonic stem cells, and (4) unravel potential implications for the development of novel strategies for artificial reproductive technologies.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
158
Pages / Article No.
105 - 111
Publisher
Elsevier
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); Embryo-maternal communication; Pluripotent stem cells; Species conservation; Embryonic diapause
Organisational unit
03999 - Ulbrich, Susanne / Ulbrich, Susanne
Notes
Funding
185026 - Embryonic Diapause: pluripotency on hold? (SNF)