Embryo Technology Adapted for Eastern Grey Kangaroos
Researchers are adapting advanced reproductive technologies, typically used in domestic animals and humans, to assist in the conservation of eastern grey kangaroos.
This method involves injecting a single sperm directly into a mature egg, a technique that could play a significant role in managing kangaroo populations that have become overabundant.
According to Dr Gambini, "Because eastern grey kangaroos are overabundant, we collected their eggs and sperm for use as a model to adapt the embryo technologies already applied to domestic animals and humans."
The challenge lies in accessing marsupial tissues, which are less studied than those of domestic animals. Dr Gambini remarked, "We are now refining techniques to collect, culture and preserve marsupial eggs and sperm."
