Reproductive biology and assisted reproductive technologies in felids

Reproductive biology has been thoroughly described in several felid species. Specifically, patterns of ovarian steroid hormones have been reported for more than half of 39 felids, and it has been observed that there is a high degree in reproductive diversity among species. For example, although females of most felids are polyestrous with induced ovulation, some species such as the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and fishing cat (Prionailus viverrinus) spontaneously ovulate. To date, assisted reproductive technologies, including sperm cryopreservation, artificial insemination and in vitro embryo production have been developed in both domestic and wild felids that result in live offspring. This paper reviews the diversity of reproductive mechanisms and discusses the status of reproductive technologies that have been applied to wild felid conservation. ...

Felids, reproductive cycle, seasonality, assisted reproductive technologies