Wombat reproduction (Marsupialia; Vombatidae): an update and future directions for the development of artificial breeding technology

Abstract

This review provides an update on what is currently known about wombat reproductive biology and reports on attempts made to manipulate and/or enhance wombat reproduction as part of the development of artificial reproductive technology (ART) in this taxon. Over the last decade, the logistical difficulties associated with monitoring a nocturnal and semi-fossorial species have largely been overcome, enabling new features of wombat physiology and behaviour to be elucidated. Despite this progress, captive propagation rates are still poor and there are areas of wombat reproductive biology that still require attention, e.g. further characterisation of the oestrous cycle and oestrus. Numerous advances in the use of ART have also been recently developed in the Vombatidae but despite this research, practical methods of manipulating wombat reproduction for the purposes of obtaining research material or for artificial breeding are not yet available. Improvement of the propagation, genetic diversity and management of wombat populations requires a thorough understanding of Vombatidae reproduction. While semen collection and cryopreservation in wombats is fairly straightforward there is currently an inability to detect, induce or synchronise oestrus/ovulation and this is an impeding progress in the development of artificial insemination in this taxon.Reproduction (2013) 145 R157-R173

Estrus Cycle Monitoring in Wild Mammals: Challenges and Perspectives

“…The reason why estrus is so short in wombats has yet to be determined. Further studies into reliable methods of estrus detection are urgently required, as the lack of specific information might be the most significant impediment to successfully breeding this species in captivity [57].…”

The assessment of reproductive function, behaviour and adrenal physiology in captive male southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

“…Comm.). While it was previously estimated that there were only 138 to 160 individuals living in Epping Forest National Park (Hogan et al 2013), the most recent population density has increased to an estimate of 240, presumably due to improvements in management and habitat (e.g. predator and competitor control, fire management and weed control; Department of the Environment and Heritage Protection 2017); given the increase in wombat numbers, there has been renewed interest by some researchers to re-investigate the possibility of establishing a captive colony of NHNWs as per the original recovery plan (Horsup 2004), with the aim of better understanding the husbandry protocols necessary to maintain the species in care and to explore a more fundamental appreciation of the general biology of this critically endangered species.…”

“…The southern hairy-nosed wombat (SHNW) has been kept routinely in captivity since the 1970s (Jackson 2003;Hogan et al 2013) but the relatively low rate of captive breeding success has led to an unsustainable ex situ population of SHNW in Australia (Hogan et al 2010a;2013). From 2003 to 2008, the mean recruitment of SHNW in captivity was only 2.5 animals annually, whereas the mean annual loss rate (i.e.…”

“…death, release and export) was 7.3 individuals. Given that no second generation offspring have been born in captivity, the captive population currently appears incapable of being maintained without recruitment of animals from the wild (Hogan et al 2013).…”

“…Scarce knowledge regarding physiology and behaviour of this species appears to be a major contributor for unsuccessful breeding in captivity (Hogan et al 2013). Previous research indicated that even regular confirmed matings with paired male and female SHNWs rarely resulted in captive born offspring (Paris et al 2002).…”