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Rebecca E. Spindler, Ph.D.. Reproductive Physiologist, Department of Reproductive Sciences
Reproductive Sciences

Spindler looking through microscopeEducation

University of Melbourne, B.Sc., Zoology/Psychology, 1991

University of Melbourne/Monash Medical Center, B.Sc. Hons., Zoology, 1992

University of Melbourne/Monash Medical Center, Ph.D., Embryology, 1997

Smithsonian Institution, Post-Doctoral Fellowship,
Department of Reproductive Sciences, 1997-2000

Professional History

Rebecca Spindler’s research has been directed by her passion for conserving rare animal species. Her initial studies occurred at Monash Medical Center’s Institute for Reproduction and Development and the University of Melbourne’s Department of Zoology. Her Ph.D. dissertation there focused on understanding the physiology of eutherian and native marsupial species, with an emphasis on studying the control of embryonic diapause in marsupial and mouse embryos. This work was related to searching for alternatives to cryopreservation for embryo storage, an area of continued interest to her.

Young spindlerSpindler joined the Department of Reproductive Sciences at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park’s Conservation & Research Center to integrate her area of expertise with other scientific disciplines essential to conserving species and ecosystems. Her most significant achievements include: 1) characterizing felid embryo and sperm metabolism and using this information to evaluate the impact of incubation medium and cryopreservation methods; 2) elucidating the fundamental mechanisms involved in embryo group culture, and 3) increasing in vitro felid embryo development. These findings now are being applied to the recovery and use of gametes (gamete rescue) from valuable felids, even after their death.

In china Spindler is a leader at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in giant panda male reproduction. She is a frequent researcher in China at the invitation of the State Forestry Administration and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Most of her efforts have been conducted in the Wolong Nature Reserve assisting with the annual ex situ breeding program, helping to develop a Giant Panda Genome Resource Bank and establishing gamete rescue protocols.

With colleagues throughout the Americas, she also is embarking on a multidisciplinary project aimed at improving the health, reproduction and genetic diversity of captive and wild populations of jaguars. Her work with the prominant Brazilian conservation organization, Associacão Pró-Carnívoros, has focused on developing field techniques for reproductive asssesment and sperm cryopreservation.

Rebecca Spindler working with an anesthetized jaguarThis work has now led to a partnership between Pró-Carnívoros and the Zoo's Conservation & Research Center. This partnership will employ a multidisciplinary strategy to research and improve individual and population health as well as habitat viability of the jaguar and maned wolf.

Spindler is actively involved in education at the community level as well as training students and interns personally and through interactive workshops. She is active in various species management organizations including the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (of the IUCN-World Conservation Union), the Felid Taxon Advisory Group and various Species Survival Plans under the umbrella of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Selected Publications

Spindler R.E. and D.E. Wildt. 2002. Quality and age of companion felid embryos modulate enhanced development by group culture. Biology of Reproduction 66: 167-73.

Spindler R.E., B. Pukazhenthi and D.E. Wildt. 2000. Oocyte metabolism predicts the development of cat embryos to blastocyst in vitro. Molecular Reproduction and Development 56: 163-171.

Spindler R.E. and D.E. Wildt. 1999. Circannual variations in intraovarian oocyte but not epididymal sperm quality in the domestic cat. Biology of Reproduction 61: 188-194.

Spindler R.E., M.B. Renfree and D.K. Gardner. 1998. Mouse embryos used as a bioassay to determine control of marsupial embryonic diapause. Journal of Experimental Zoology 283: 590-599.

Spindler R.E., M.B. Renfree and D.K. Gardner. 1995. Metabolic assessment of wallaby blastocysts during embryonic diapause and subsequent reactivation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 7: 1157-1162.

Contact

mailSmithsonian’s National Zoological Park
Conservation & Research Center
1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, VA 22630

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