About Keratin
Keratin is one of a family of fibrous structural proteins known as scleroproteins. α-Keratin is a type of keratin found in vertebrates. It is the key structural material making up hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, calluses, and the outer layer of skin among vertebrates.
One of world's last northern white rhinos retired from breeding scheme
... GettyWhite rhinosMade of two subspecies: Northern white rhinos and southern white rhinosNicknamed: “Square-lipped rhinos” Northern: Population two, under armed guard in KenyaSouthern: Estimated population 20,000, mostly in southern AfricaDifferences: Northern are slightly smaller and less hairy than southernPoachers: Target them for their horns to smuggle to Asia for remediesRhino horns: Made of Keratin - the same substance as fingernailsVarious sources...
The Northern white rhinos: The bold plan that could save a kind of
... Getty white rhinosconsists Of two subspecies: the Northern white rhinos and southern white rhinosnickname: Square-lipped rhinos North: the population in two, under armed guard in KenyaSouthern: Estimated population of 20,000, mostly in southern Africa,differences: The North are slightly smaller and less hairy than the southernpoachers: aim for their horns to smuggle to Asia for a cureRhino horns made Of Keratin, created of the same substance as finger nailsVarious sourcesSo Dr...
One of world's last northern white rhinos retired from breeding scheme
Scientists have retired one of The World 's last two northern white rhinos from a breeding programme trying to save the species from extinction.
The decision to stop harvesting 32-year-old Najin's eggs followed an " ethical risk assessment" that considered her age and other factors.
Neither Najin nor Her Daughter Fatu are able to carry a rhino calf to term.
The Last male of the species died in 2018, But its sperm was collected and has been used to fertilise eggs.
The procedure involves a team of vets extracting the rhino's eggs, using techniques developed through years of research. The eggs are then sent to an Italian lab for fertilisation, using sperm from two deceased males.
Twelve embryos have been created So Far , and scientists hope to implant them into surrogate mothers selected from a population of southern white rhinos.
Media caption, How technology could help save the northern white rhinoBioRescue, the scientific group leading the scheme, said it had weighed up several risks before deciding to stop harvesting Najin's eggs.
" Retiring one individual from a conservation programme because of animal welfare considerations is usually not A Question to think about for Long . . But when one individual is 50 percent of your population, you Consider This decision several times, " said head veterinarians Frank Göritz and Stephen Ngulu.
FEATURE:As well as her advanced age, ultrasound scans had revealed several small, benign tumours on Najin's cervix and uterus, and a cyst on her left ovary.
But BioRescue said she would remain part of the scheme in other ways, like providing tissue samples for stem cell research.
It's hoped she can also " transfer her social knowledge and behaviour" to future offspring.
Northern white rhinos been brought to The Brink of extinction by poaching and loss of habitat.
Najin was born in a Czech zoo But was moved a decade later to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, where she has been living under armed protection.
GettyWhite rhinosMade of two subspecies: Northern white rhinos and southern white rhinos
Nicknamed: “Square-lipped rhinos”
Northern: Population two, under armed guard in Kenya
Southern: Estimated population 20,000, mostly in southern Africa
Differences: Northern are slightly smaller and less hairy than southern
Poachers: Target them for their horns to smuggle to Asia for remedies
Rhino horns: Made of Keratin - the same substance as fingernails
Various sourcesSource of news: bbc.com
Keratin Photos
