posted on 2025-05-11, 19:24authored byLachlan Campbell
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination, have long been established as useful tools for gamete storage and delivery. This
is due to their applicability in human reproductive health, the breeding of domestic and laboratory animals, and the agricultural industries. Increasingly, these ARTs are being
suggested as tools in wildlife conservation for the management of populations and their genetic diversity, an approach which has been actively researched, and even implemented, for
a number of mammalian species. However, this has not translated as successfully to other taxa, as the fundamental reproductive mode and function are far less researched and poorly
understood in comparison to mammalian models. Reptiles are experiencing severe declines, with one in five species currently threatened with extinction, yet there appears to be little
concentrated effort to develop appropriate ARTs for this taxa. There is thus a strong need to develop appropriate ART protocols that are applicable to reptilian models. This thesis will identify the major reproductive and cryobiological factors that influence the applicability of cryopreservation protocols, outlined in the Introduction, to the cryopreservation of male lizard gametes, using the yellow-spotted monitor, Varanus panoptes, as a model. The thesis reports the successful development of sperm cryopreservation protocols based on experimental procedures involving; cryoprotectant type / concentration, cold-shock effects, short-term storage prior to freezing, cooling rates and the feasibility of modified freezing techniques for V. panoptes. The findings and outcomes of this project will assist the future development of assisted reproductive technologies for the conservation and management of V. panoptes and other threatened reptilian species.
History
Year awarded
2021.0
Thesis category
Doctoral Degree
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Supervisors
Clulow, John (University of Newcastle); Clulow, Simon (University of Canberra); Doody, Sean (University of South Florida)