Research could help improve bird conservation methods

Scientists at the University of Sheffield have developed a new method of testing the fertility of critically endangered birds which could make captive breeding programmes more effective and help secure the future of several species. Using newly developed methods which allow experts to tell the difference between infertility and very early embryo death - something that has never been done before in endangered species - new light has been shed on methods for breeding critically endangered bird species in captivity. Researchers from the University's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences believe their new method of assessing egg fertility, ensuring pairs are sexually compatible and the males are producing enough sperm, could save bird species on the brink of extinction. Academics analysed the reproduction of five critically endangered species of birds in the wild and in breeding programmes and found the wilds birds suffered exceptionally high rates of embryo death because of inbreeding, while in the captive birds little, if any, sperm even managed to fertilise the eggs. Nicola Hemmings, who led the research , said: "Our findings suggest that breeding birds in captivity may impact on fertility. The captive birds we studied had high levels of infertility and far fewer sperm managed to reach the eggs than would be expected for birds of their size.