Artificial Insemination in Dogs, Cats and Other Domestic and Wild Carnivores

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, artificial insemination (AI) with fresh, chilled or frozen semen is commonly performed in domestic dogs to avoid mating failure or long journeys bringing the bitch to the stud dog, but also for genetic reasons and breeding programs. In domestic cats, substantial improvements have been achieved in recent years and cat breeders are increasingly seeking to benefit from this reproductive technique. In ferrets, too, AI carries some promise. In wild carnivores, as stated by the IUCN—the International Union for Conservation of Nature—AI is a useful tool that has potential application towards maintaining the viability of in situ populations and restoring genetic connectivity within isolated individuals. Furthermore, it is less dangerous, more cost-effective and more practical to transport preserved spermatozoa than susceptible live animals. In this regard, the development of sperm cryobanking may help to retain the genetic diversity within species. Many conservation programs already include AI in wild mustelids, felids, canids and bears all over the world. More advanced inseminating techniques (trans-cervical intra-uterine or even intra-oviductal deposition of semen, coelioscopy, etc.) have been developed, linked with a reduction of inseminating doses and improvement of fertility results. We believe it is time to provide an update on the use of artificial insemination in domestic but also in wild carnivores and to consider how improvement of this technique in pets may help in the conservation of endangered species.

Areas of interest: artificial insemination; sperm collection, preservation and shipment; cryobanking; pets; dogs; cats; ferrets; felids; canids; mustelids; bears; hyenas; other carnivores; biodiversity conservation programs in endangered carnivores.

We invite you to share your recent findings through this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Alain Fontbonne
Prof. Dr. Wojciech Niżański
Guest Editors

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• dog
• cat
• ferret
• felids
• canids
• hyenas
• bears
• mustelids
• artificial insemination
• semen preservation and shipment