Extinction rates are rising, and current conservation technologies may not be adequate for reducing species losses. Future conservation efforts may be aided by the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from highly endangered species. Generation of a set of iPSCs from multiple members of a species can capture some of the dwindling genetic diversity of a disappearing species. We generated iPSCs from fibroblasts cryopreserved in the Frozen Zoo^®: nine genetically diverse individuals of the functionally extinct northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and two from the closely related southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). We used a nonintegrating Sendai virus reprogramming method and developed analyses to confirm the cells' pluripotency and differentiation potential. This work is the first step of a long-term interdisciplinary plan to apply assisted reproduction techniques to the conservation of this highly endangered species. Advances in iPSC differentiation may enable generation of gametes in vitro from deceased and nonreproductive individuals that could be used to repopulate the species.

中文翻译：

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北白犀牛的倒退灭绝：用于遗传拯救的基因多样性诱导多能干细胞库

灭绝率正在上升，目前的保护技术可能不足以减少物种损失。从高度濒危物种中产生诱导多能干细胞 (iPSC) 可能有助于未来的保护工作。从一个物种的多个成员中产生一组 iPSC 可以捕获一些正在消失的物种减少的遗传多样性。我们从冷冻动物园^{® 中}冷冻保存的成纤维细胞生成 iPSC ：功能性灭绝的北方白犀牛 ( Ceratotherium simumcotti ) 的九个遗传多样性个体和密切相关的南方白犀牛 ( Ceratotherium simum simum ) 的两个）。我们使用了一种非整合的仙台病毒重编程方法并进行了分析以确认细胞的多能性和分化潜力。这项工作是将辅助生殖技术应用于保护这一高度濒危物种的长期跨学科计划的第一步。iPSC 分化的进展可能使从已故和非生殖个体体外产生配子成为可能，这些配子可用于重新填充该物种。