Assisted reproduction with gametes and embryos: what research is needed and fundable?

This research article discusses the principles for choosing future research projects in assisted reproduction, highlighting ten areas of focus. These areas include advancements in sperm capacitation, oocyte maturation, fertility of sexed semen, and ovarian follicle differentiation, among others.

Research Selection Principles

• The study outlines several principles for selecting future research endeavors in assisted reproduction. These principles are interests of investigators, fundability, potential applications, ethical considerations, formulation of testable hypotheses, and choosing the best models, including the most appropriate species.

Key Areas of Focus

• The research identifies ten areas of assisted reproduction deemed suitable for increased scrutiny. These involve processes, such as effective capacitation of bovine spermatozoa in vitro, improved in vitro bovine oocyte maturation, and improved fertility of sexed semen.
• Other areas pointed out include enhancing equine IVF, bettering the cryopreservation of rooster spermatozoa, understanding the differences between males in the success of sperm cryopreservation, and the mechanisms contributing to the reprogramming of somatic cell nuclei after nuclear transfer.
• The research also identifies the regulation of differentiation of ovarian primordial follicles and the means by which spermatozoa maintain fertility during storage in the epididymis as topics worth examining.

Species-Specific Issues

• The research argues that many of these subjects are species-specific, largely due to the unique biology of different species. This detail is critical when considering the appropriate models for investigation and potential cross-species application of findings.