Seven puppies were born in July, a mix of beagle, cocker and labrador, all in perfect health
The first puppies conceived in vitro were born in the United States, marking, after decades of trying, the success of a process of fertilization in vitro for dogs, which is commonly used in humans for three decades.
This success opens the possibility to preserve endangered species of canines using genetic modification to eliminate hereditary diseases in some species of dogs, according to the study published on Wednesday by the Public Library of Science ONE journal.
Seven puppies were born in July, a mix of beagle, retriever and cocker, all in perfect health, explained Alex Travis, who led the experiment and is reproductive biology professor at the veterinary college at Cornell University (New York State) .
In all, 19 were fertilized embryos in the laboratory, which were implanted into a dog.
"We were trying since the mid-1970s in vitro fertilization with the dogs, but we had no success," said Alex Travis.
The difficulty is explained by the fact that the breeding cycles of the dogs are different from other mammals, which complicates the fertilization of the oocytes.
Researchers have developed a technique that brought in vitro fertilization success rate of 80-90%, said Travis.
In 2013, experts were able to overcome another obstacle: the freezing of embryos, which allows reinsert them in the oocyte bitch (equivalent to the fallopian tubes in women) in the most appropriate time of their reproductive cycle, one to two times a year, explained the scientists.
The dogs share more than 350 diseases and hereditary traits in humans, and nearly twice more genes other animal species with the human species.
Therefore, "the dogs offer a powerful tool for understanding the genetic basis of diseases" human, said Travis.
The technique developed will also help to reproduce endangered species.
"We can now use this technique to preserve the genetic heritage of endangered species and perpetuate."
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