Model species driving conservation technologies: twenty years of reproductive research for neotropical wildlife conservation

Alexandre Rodrigues Silva; Luana Grasiele Pereira Bezerra; Romário Parente dos Santos; Andréia Maria da Silva; Gabriela Liberalino Lima Melo; Ana Liza Paz Souza

doi:10.1590/1984-3143-AR2026-0131

Thematic Section: XI International Symposium on Animal Biology of Reproduction (ISABR 2026)

Model species driving conservation technologies: twenty years of reproductive research for neotropical wildlife conservation

Alexandre Rodrigues Silva; Luana Grasiele Pereira Bezerra; Romário Parente dos Santos; Andréia Maria da Silva; Gabriela Liberalino Lima Melo; Ana Liza Paz Souza

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2026-0131 Anim Reprod, vol.23, n4, e20260131, 2026

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Abstract

Over the last two decades, reproductive research conducted primarily in Neotropical wildlife species from the Brazilian Caatinga has evolved from descriptive studies of reproductive biology into an integrated framework for biodiversity conservation. The trajectory described herein illustrates how basic reproductive physiology, when systematically linked to assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), can generate practical conservation tools. Initial investigations focused on reproductive anatomy, endocrinology, spermatogenesis, follicular dynamics, and reproductive behavior. These studies provided the foundation for the development of species-specific methods for semen collection, sperm evaluation, estrous monitoring, hormonal manipulation, cryopreservation, in vitro culture, and xenotransplantation. Subsequent advances expanded conservation efforts from gamete preservation to gonadal tissue biobanking, ultimately supporting the establishment of integrated genetic resource conservation strategies. Using species from the Caatinga as experimental models, including collared peccaries, red-rumped agoutis, Spix’s yellow-toothed cavies, six-banded armadillos, greater rheas, and other taxa, this research program generated knowledge applicable to a broad range of Neotropical wild species. Beyond summarizing scientific achievements, this article presents lessons learned during twenty years of research and discusses future opportunities involving advanced biobanking and the use of emerging assisted reproduction technologies. The experience demonstrates that long-term, species-centered programs can serve as effective pathways for transforming biological knowledge into conservation solutions.

Keywords

biobanking, assisted reproduction techniques, caatinga, germplasm preservation

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Silva AM, Bezerra LGP, Praxedes ECG, Moreira SSJ, de Souza CMP, de Oliveira MF, Pereira AF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Combination of intracellular cryoprotectants preserves the structure and the cells proliferative capacity potential of adult collared peccary testicular tissue subjected to solid surface vitrification. Cryobiology. 2019;91:53-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.199. PMid:31678072.

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Silva HVR, Nunes TGP, Brito BF, Campos LB, Silva AM, Silva AR, Comizzoli P, Silva LDM. Influence of different extenders on morphological and functional parameters of frozen-thawed spermatozoa of jaguar (Panthera onca). Cryobiology. 2020b;92:53-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.195. PMid:31704199.

Silva AM, Pereira AG, Bezerra GSC, Matos YG, Bezerra LGP, Pereira AF, Oliveira MF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Solid surface vitrification is better than slow freezing for the long-term preservation of testicular fragments from prepubertal collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758). Animals (Basel). 2025a;15(10):1488. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15101488. PMid:40427365.

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Silva AM, Pereira AG, Bezerra LGP, Brasil AV, Pereira AF, Oliveira MF, Rodrigues APR, Ñaupas LVS, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Synergistic effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and base-medium on in vitro culture of testicular tissue derived from prepubertal collared peccary. Cell Biol Int. 2024;48(9):1364-77. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbin.12203. PMid:39007507.

Silva MCC, Jorge-Neto PN, Miranda GM, Csermak-Jr AC, Zanella R, Pizzutto CS, Colbachini H, Silva AR, Araújo GR, Deco-Souza T. Reproductive parameters of male crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) subjected to pharmacological semen collection by urethral catheterization. Theriogenology Wild. 2022a;1:100004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.therwi.2022.100004.

Silva AM, Pereira AG, Bezerra LGP, Jerônimo Moreira SS, Pereira AF, Oliveira MF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Cryopreservation of testicular tissue from adult red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758). Animals (Basel). 2022b;12(6):738. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060738. PMid:35327135.

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Silva AM, Pereira AG, Brasil AV, Macedo LB, Souza-Junior J, Moura CEB, Pereira AF, Franco de Oliveira M, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Influence of freezing techniques and glycerol-based cryoprotectant combinations on the survival of testicular tissues from adult collared peccaries. Theriogenology. 2021;167:111-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.03.013. PMid:33813051.

Silva AM, Praxedes ECG, Campos LB, Bezerra LGP, Moreira SSJ, Maia KM, Souza ALP, Silva AR. Epididymal sperm from Spix’s yellow-toothed cavies sperm successfully cryopreserved in Tris extender with 6% glycerol and 20% egg yolk. Anim Reprod Sci. 2018;191:64-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.02.009. PMid:29463464.

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Silva MA, Peixoto GCX, Lima GL, Bezerra JAB, Campos LB, Paiva ALC, Paula VV, Silva AR. Cryopreservation of collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) semen using a powdered coconut water (ACP-116c) based extender plus various concentrations of egg yolk and glycerol. Theriogenology. 2012a;78(3):605-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.03.006. PMid:22538005.

Silva MA, Peixoto GC, Sousa PC, Bezerra FS, Bezerra AC, Silva AR. Interactions between straw size and thawing rates on the cryopreservation of agouti (Dasyprocta aguti) epididymal sperm. Reprod Domest Anim. 2012b;47(1):e4-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01817.x. PMid:21645127.

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Sousa PC, Amorim RNL, Lima GL, Paiva ALC, Paula VV, Freitas CIA, Silva AR. Establishment of an anesthetic protocol for semen collection by electroejaculation in six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus Linnaeus, 1758). Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec. 2016a;68(6):1595-601. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-8811.

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Souza ALP, Lima GL, Peixoto GCX, Silva AM, Oliveira MF, Silva AR. Use of Aloe vera-based extender for chilling and freezing collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) semen. Theriogenology. 2016;85(8):1432-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.01.007. PMid:26830302.

Yokonishi T, Sato T, Katagiri K. Spermatogenesis. In: Carrell DT, Aston KI, editors. Spermatogenesis: methods and protocols. USA: Springer Science; 2013. p. 927. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-038-0.

Submitted date:
07/06/2026

Accepted date:
07/22/2026

Model species driving conservation technologies: twenty years of reproductive research for neotropical wildlife conservation

Alexandre Rodrigues Silva; Luana Grasiele Pereira Bezerra; Romário Parente dos Santos; Andréia Maria da Silva; Gabriela Liberalino Lima Melo; Ana Liza Paz Souza

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