Preserving Biodiversity Through Cryopreservation

Preserving Biodiversity Through Cryopreservation:
A Beacon of Hope for Endangered Species

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As we confront the stark reality of biodiversity loss, the preservation of our planet's genetic diversity has never been more critical. Cryopreservation emerges as a pivotal technology in our efforts to safeguard the genetic material of endangered species. 🌍

To secure the biodiversity of the planet, animals at risk of extinction, such as the jaguar and Eastern black rhino are now having their reproductive cells stored at major biobanks like Nature’s SAFE— one of Europe’s largest biobanks of living tissue. This initiative represents a critical piece in the conservation puzzle, using cutting-edge technologies to cryogenically freeze small tissue samples from the ovaries and testicles of animals that have passed away at Chester Zoo, England. By freezing these samples at -196°C in liquid nitrogen, all natural chemical processes in the cells are halted, effectively pausing time. These frozen samples hold the potential to resurrect species that might otherwise be lost forever.

Dr. Sue Walker, head of science at Chester Zoo and co-founder of Nature’s SAFE, underscores the importance of this work. With shrinking gene pools and dwindling animal populations in the wild, the role of modern conservation zoos has never been more vital. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over 40,000 species are currently threatened with extinction, highlighting the urgency of our biodiversity crisis.

Cryopreservation involves various methods to secure different types of biological samples. Sperm cells, for instance, can be extracted post-castration and stored in nutrient-rich, cell-friendly anti-freeze before being placed in liquid nitrogen containers. These sperm cells can later be thawed and used to fertilize frozen eggs, with the resulting embryo implanted into a surrogate mother.

In addition to sperm, ovarian and testicular tissue is preserved indefinitely at the biobank. Scientists are exploring ways to cultivate these tissues to produce egg and sperm cells for future breeding programs. Even skin cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells—capable of transforming into any body cell, including sperm and egg cells. This pioneering approach means that a skin biopsy from an Eastern black rhino's ear could be pivotal in saving the species.

While the traditional ways of protecting wildlife populations need to be enforced and increased, it is inspiring and hopeful to see that technological advancements in the field of Cryogenics offer an alternative solution to secure future options to maintain biodiversity on our planet.

As a leader in the field of cryogenics, at Consarctic we remain committed to advancing cryopreservation technology and contributing to global conservation efforts. By harnessing the power of cryopreservation, we can ensure the survival of our planet's most vulnerable species and maintain the richness of Earth's biodiversity for generations to come.