The realm of scientific research, recently, witnessed a significant breakthrough. Researchers have successfully created an embryo of the endangered Northern white rhino employing the In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) process. At the moment, there are merely two existing Northern white rhinos globally.
A Closer Look at White Rhinos
White Rhinos proudly stand as the second largest land mammal, following the elephant. An interesting fact about them is their alternative name, the square-lipped rhinoceros. This moniker originates from their square, as opposed to pointed, upper lip. There are two genetically distinctive subspecies of white rhino – the northern and southern white rhino. These subspecies are indigenous to two separate regions within Africa.
According to the IUCN, the status of the White Rhino is ‘Near Threatened’. Notably, the status for their subspecies differs. The Northern White Rhino is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’, and the Southern White Rhino is also labeled as ‘Near Threatened’.
Other Species of Rhinos
Africa is also home to the black or hook-lipped rhinoceros, a species that is currently battling for survival. Tragically, at least three of their subspecies are already extinct, placing them under ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red list.
Heading towards India, one would encounter the Indian rhinoceros, which notably has only one horn, making it quite distinct from its African counterparts. It’s categorized as ‘Vulnerable’ per the IUCN Red list.
Two other species, the Javan and Sumatran rhino, are also noteworthy. The Javan Rhino has a single horn, similar to the Indian Rhino, while the Sumatran Rhino, akin to the African rhinos, boasts two horns. Both these species are ‘Critically Endangered’, as specified in the IUCN Red List.
| Rhino Species | No. of Horns | IUCN Status |
|---|---|---|
| Northern White Rhino | 2 | Critically Endangered |
| Southern White Rhino | 2 | Near Threatened |
| Black Rhino | 2 | Critically Endangered |
| Indian Rhino | 1 | Vulnerable |
| Javan Rhino | 1 | Critically Endangered |
| Sumatran Rhino | 2 | Critically Endangered |
The IVF Process Explained
IVF, or In vitro Fertilization, is a commonly recognized type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The term ‘In vitro’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘in glass’, indicating that the studies take place in a test tube rather than within a living organism. This contrasts with ‘In-vivo’, another Latin phrase meaning ‘within the living’, referring to experimentation done within a living organism.
‘In-vitro’ signifies that the process happens outside the body. Fertilization, on the other hand, signifies that the sperm has latched onto and entered the egg. Throughout the IVF procedure, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and subsequently fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. Finally, the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are transferred into a uterus. This technological advancement opened new possibilities in the field of conservation science, as evidenced by its successful implementation in creating a Northern white rhino embryo.