Current status and future directions of in vitro embryo production in wild and non-traditional livestock mammals from South America

South America harbors one of the world’s richest biodiversity, which is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities and climate change. In vitro embryo production (IVEP) has emerged as a valuable tool for conserving genetic resources from wild and non-traditional livestock mammalian species. This review aimed to highlight and consolidate the scientific efforts of South American research groups that are actively working with IVEP on wild mammal’s native to the continent, thereby increasing the visibility of regional expertise and ongoing initiatives. Originally developed for domestic species, IVEP has been progressively adapted to overcome species-specific challenges, including low fertility, reproductive seasonality, restricted geographic distribution, and complex behavioral traits. The technique enables the precise control of reproductive procedures, facilitates the multiplication of genetically valuable individuals, and supports the establishment of germplasm banks essential for biodiversity conservation. Research in South America has primarily focused on taxa with threatened or economically important species, such as rodents, ungulates, camelids, felids, and primates. These studies have advanced key steps of IVEP, including oocyte collection and in vitro maturation, sperm selection and capacitation, culture media optimization, and embryo development conditions. However, research output remains unevenly distributed across the continent, with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru accounting for most published studies, while other countries are underrepresented due to infrastructure constraints. Recent progress includes improvements in in vivo and post-mortem oocyte collection techniques, particularly in rodents and camelids, as well as refinements to in vitro maturation protocols that enhance oocyte developmental competence.