The popular assisted reproductive technique (ART) has now been successfully applied on dogs.
Last year, the first litter of puppies born through in vitro fertilization and surrogacy were born, a feat in waiting for around three decades.
Also known as IVF, it's a well-known fertility method wherein the sperm and egg cells are fertilized in the lab. Once fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg is then delivered into the womb of the biological mother or a surrogate where the egg is expected to develop into a baby.
More women in the United States are choosing IVF, according to a 2014 report by CNN. In 2012 alone, more than 60,000 babies were born through ART such as IVF, an increase of 2,000 babies than in 2011.
IVF began in the 1970s, and aside from humans, it's also been tested on animals including cows, which makes the technique an excellent method for cattle raising. However, it didn't turn out well for dogs for many years.
Thus, the attempt of Alex Travis, associate professor and reproductive biology of Baker Institute for Animal Health of Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine was novel.
To succeed, however, he and his team had to hurdle a variety of challenges including the best time to harvest the egg. Relying mostly on human IVF, they discovered that unlike female eggs, those of the dogs needed more time before harvest so they could be fertilized.
Further, they had to replicate a "bath of chemicals" that are necessary to remove a coating of cholesterol that protects the dog's DNA information. Unless it can be removed, no fertilization can occur. The team added magnesium, contrary to a previously published paper, to not only remove the coating but to speed up the sperm's travel.
From the sperm-egg culture, they were able to come up with almost 20 fertilized embryos, of which seven puppies were born, some of which were a combination of beagle and cocker spaniel.
They hope that with this success, they could help prevent the extinction of endangered canine species. These may include Mexican gray wolf, Darwin's fox, and Ethiopian wolf.