Research Bibliography

The National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center, or CRC, located in Front Royal, VA, is a wildlife conservation facility focused on breeding and research of endangered species. In l988, CRC was the first zoo to establish a black-footed ferret breeding program, and today manages a population of ferrets which are maintained in an outdoor facility constructed to simulate their wild habitat. Scientists at NOAHS (New Opportunities in Animal Health Sciences) based at CRC, are using recent advances in biotechnology to help save the black-footed ferret.

Because the total ferret population is still small, it is important that all genetically valuable individuals contribute to the breeding program. This maintains genetic diversity and prevents inbreeding. NOAHS scientists at CRC have developed assisted breeding strategies for the black-footed ferret.

Assisted breeding techniques, like semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination, allow animals to breed that would not breed naturally, perhaps due to behavior problems such as aggression towards mates. These techniques can also be used to breed animals at different locations. Rather than moving animals, sperm may be collected, as shown here, then cryopreserved, or frozen, and shipped for use in artificial inseminations.

Successful artificial insemination for black-footed ferrets was developed by NOAHS reproductive biologist Dr. JoGayle Howard. She had her first success with this technique in l991. Here, a female ferret is inseminated using a method called laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination. This surgical technique uses a slender instrument with lenses, called a laparoscope, to deposit semen directly into the uterus of a female. During these procedures, the ferrets are given the same level of care provided to people in a human hospital.

These ferret kits, held by Dr. Howard, were produced by artificial insemination and represent the power of assisted breeding techniques.