Obtaining Wisent early blastocyst in vitro is a basic for protection and creation of biodiversity for this threatened species.

Contents: Wisent, or European bison (<italic>Bison bonasus</italic>), is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is therefore protected by international law. For the first time, a Wisent embryo has been obtained in vitro. This procedure creates a new opportunity to protect and increase Wisent reproductive potential and thereby opens new possibilities for the establishment of a controlled and broad reserve of the gene pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]