Use artificial insemination

Overall effectiveness category Awaiting assessment
Number of studies: 1
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Effectiveness

not assessed
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not assessed
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Background information and definitions

During programmes to rear endangered animals in captivity, in preparation for reintroductions into the wild, artificial insemination may be used to initiate pregnancies. The technique may be used instead of natural mating in situations where animals are being kept at different facilities; to increase pregnancy rates; or where natural mating has failed. It may also be carried out using preserved sperm for purposes of maintaining genetic diversity.

Studies included here are those identified by our searches of conservation journals. It is likely that other relevant studies exist in biological journals that specialize in reproduction.

Study locations

Key messages

One study evaluated the effects of using artificial insemination on reptile populations. This study was in New Zealand.

COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES)

POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY)

Reproductive success (1 study): One replicated study in New Zealand found that none of 10 artificially inseminated McCann’s skinks gave birth within a year of insemination, though around five were gravid after nine months.

BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated study in 2008–2009 in outdoor enclosures in Dunedin, New Zealand (Molinia et al. 2010) reported that artificially inseminated female McCann’s skinks Oligosoma maccanni did not give birth, although approximately half were gravid nine months after insemination. None of 10 artificially inseminated female McCann’s skinks gave birth in the year after insemination took place. Two months after insemination, eight of 10 artificially inseminated females were confirmed as ovulating and the authors reported that nine months after insemination approximately five of 10 of the females appeared to be gravid. Ten female McCann’s skinks kept in captivity were inseminated in March 2008 using sperm pooled from six males collected over two days (each female received at least 1 x 10⁶ motile sperm, see original paper for details). Females were checked for ovulation by palpating the abdominal cavity.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Molinia F.C., Bell T., Norbury G., Cree A. & Gleeson D.M. (2010) Assisted breeding of skinks or how to teach a lizard old tricks! Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 5, 311-319.

Please cite as:

Sainsbury K.A., Morgan W.H., Watson M., Rotem G., Bouskila A., Smith R.K. & Sutherland W.J. (2021) Reptile Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions for reptiles. Conservation Evidence Series Synopsis. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Reptile Conservation

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