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Wu Y, Wang C, Fan X, Ma Y, Liu Z, Ye X, Shen C, Wu C. The impact of induced pluripotent stem cells in animal conservation. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:649-663. [PMID: 38228922 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10294-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that we are currently facing a critical tipping point with regards to global extinction, with human activities driving us perilously close to the brink of a devastating sixth mass extinction. As a promising option for safeguarding endangered species, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold great potential to aid in the preservation of threatened animal populations. For endangered species, such as the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), supply of embryos is often limited. After the death of the last male in 2019, only two females remained in the world. IPSC technology offers novel approaches and techniques for obtaining pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) from rare and endangered animal species. Successful generation of iPSCs circumvents several bottlenecks that impede the development of PSCs, including the challenges associated with establishing embryonic stem cells, limited embryo sources and immune rejection following embryo transfer. To provide more opportunities and room for growth in our work on animal welfare, in this paper we will focus on the progress made with iPSC lines derived from endangered and extinct species, exploring their potential applications and limitations in animal welfare research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurou Wu
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengwei Wang
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyun Fan
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxiao Ma
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zibo Liu
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Ye
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modem Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, People's Republic of China
| | - Chongyang Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chunjie Wu
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy/Academy for Interdiscipline, Chengdu Univesity of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, People's Republic of China.
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Endangered Medicinal Animals, Chengdu, China.
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Meuffels-Barkas J, Wilsher S, Allen WRT, Ververs C, Lueders I. Comparative reproduction of the female horse, elephant and rhinoceros: implications for advancing Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2023; 4:RAF-23-0020. [PMID: 37439577 PMCID: PMC10448597 DOI: 10.1530/raf-23-0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent loss of rhinoceros subspecies has renewed interest in using more advanced assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in rhinoceroses and elephants. Currently, only semen collection, semen preservation and artificial insemination (AI) have been used repeatedly with success in these species. Although ovum pick-up (OPU) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have been reported in rhinoceroses, the techniques are not yet optimised. In contrast, multiple ART applications are routinely used in the horse. Since elephant and rhinoceroses share some reproductive features with equids, we postulate that procedures such as OPU, ICSI, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET), which are well established in the horse, may represent a basis to develop protocols for endangered pachyderms. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on reproductive physiology relevant to ART. We discuss the current state of ART in all three families and the requirements for the successful implementation of OPU, ICSI, IVF and ET in these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Meuffels-Barkas
- Cryovault, Rhino Force SA NPC, Tokai, South Africa
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Sandra Wilsher
- The Paul Mellon Laboratory, Brunswick, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK
| | - W R Twink Allen
- The Paul Mellon Laboratory, Brunswick, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK
| | | | - Imke Lueders
- Cryovault, Rhino Force SA NPC, Tokai, South Africa
- Mammal Research Institute, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
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Schwarzenberger F, Hermes R. Comparative analysis of gestation in three rhinoceros species (Diceros bicornis; Ceratotherium simum; Rhinoceros unicornis). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 334:114214. [PMID: 36646327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This comparative analysis evaluated endocrine profiles and gestation length data of captive pregnant black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), and greater one-horned (GOH) rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). Hormone profiles were collected over three decades as part of pregnancy diagnoses. After the third month of gestation, the luteo-placental shift in progesterone production in pregnant rhinoceroses causes a significant increase in the concentration of faecal progesterone metabolites. We defined a laboratory-specific value of 1000 ng/g faeces as a threshold for incipient feto-placental progesterone production. Using this value allowed a comparison between species and revealed significant individual differences within a species. The mean ± SEM gestation days for reaching the 1000 ng/g faeces threshold were 89.5 ± 2.9 (range 56-138 days; n = 39) in black, 96.0 ± 2.6 (58-138; n = 39) in white, and 117.8 ± 5.3 (74-173; n = 19) in GOH rhinoceroses. For the calculations of gestation length, we complemented our results from three decades of reproductive monitoring with data from the literature, resulting in about 70 values for each species. Gestation length in the black, the white and the GOH rhinoceros was 460.6 ± 1.5 (range: 436 - 486), 503.8 ± 1.3 (range: 480 - 525) and 480.5 ± 1.1 (range: 453 - 505) days, respectively. Daylight length significantly affected gestation length, while the sex of offspring had no effect. On average, pregnancies with parturitions in spring and summer were one week shorter than those in autumn and winter. Although rhinoceroses are non-seasonal breeders, most parturitions in captivity occur in autumn and winter. We also analysed preconception endocrine profiles in the white rhinoceros. Conceptions in this species occurred after oestrous cycles of approximately 35 days (n = 18), 70 days (n = 3), 15 days (n = 1), after periods of ovarian inactivity (n = 5), and during a foal heat within one month after stillbirth parturition (n = 1). In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive overview of gestational parameters in three rhinoceros species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Schwarzenberger
- Dept. of Biomed. Sci. - Physiology, Pathophysiology & Experimental Endocrinology, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Robert Hermes
- Dept. Reproduction Management, Leibnitz Institute for Zoo & Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.
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Hayashi M, Zywitza V, Naitou Y, Hamazaki N, Goeritz F, Hermes R, Holtze S, Lazzari G, Galli C, Stejskal J, Diecke S, Hildebrandt TB, Hayashi K. Robust induction of primordial germ cells of white rhinoceros on the brink of extinction. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabp9683. [PMID: 36490332 PMCID: PMC9733929 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abp9683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In vitro gametogenesis, the process of generating gametes from pluripotent cells in culture, is a powerful tool for improving our understanding of germ cell development and an alternative source of gametes. Here, we induced primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from pluripotent stem cells of the northern white rhinoceros (NWR), a species for which only two females remain, and southern white rhinoceros (SWR), the closest species to the NWR. PGCLC differentiation from SWR embryonic stem cells is highly reliant on bone morphogenetic protein and WNT signals. Genetic analysis revealed that SRY-box transcription factor 17 (SOX17) is essential for SWR-PGCLC induction. Under the defined condition, NWR induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into PGCLCs. We also identified cell surface markers, CD9 and Integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6), that enabled us to isolate PGCLCs without genetic alteration in pluripotent stem cells. This study provides a first step toward the production of NWR gametes in culture and understanding of the basic mechanism of primordial germ cell specification in a large animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Hayashi
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Vera Zywitza
- Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Yuki Naitou
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Hamazaki
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Frank Goeritz
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin 10315, Germany
| | - Robert Hermes
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin 10315, Germany
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin 10315, Germany
| | - Giovanna Lazzari
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Cremona 26100, Italy
- Fondazione Avantea, Cremona 26100, Italy
| | - Cesare Galli
- Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Cremona 26100, Italy
- Fondazione Avantea, Cremona 26100, Italy
| | - Jan Stejskal
- ZOO Dvůr Králové, Dvůr Králové nad Labem 54401, Czech Republic
| | - Sebastian Diecke
- Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Thomas B. Hildebrandt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin 10315, Germany
- Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin D-14195, Germany
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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Jenikejew J, Wauters J, Dehnhard M, Scheumann M. Linking socio-sexual and vocal behaviour with faecal progesterone and oestrogen metabolite levels in Southern white rhinoceros females. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab098. [PMID: 34987828 PMCID: PMC8715736 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone and oestrogen are the main gonadal steroid hormones that regulate the ovarian activity and induce the fertile oestrus period in females. The monitoring of this receptive phase is particularly decisive for captive breeding and is commonly based on the observation of female behavioural patterns that coincide with their hormonal oestrus. However, in the white rhinoceros (WR), a species that is well known for its impaired reproductive rate in captivity, the female behavioural and vocal indicators of receptivity have not been systematically investigated or linked to their hormonal states so far. In order to close this gap, we combined behavioural and acoustic recordings, conducted over an average period of 32 days, with the analysis of faecal progesterone and oestrogen metabolite concentrations (fPM and fEM) in 27 adult Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum; SWR) females from 10 European zoos. For eight of the study females, we were able to detect a receptive period indicated by their acceptance of sexual behaviour from the bulls. The comparison of behaviour and vocalization between receptive and non-receptive periods in these females demonstrated that particularly presenting and marking behaviour distinctly peaked during the receptive period, indicating the significance of olfactory signalling for female reproductive behaviour. Based on the analysis of fPM profiles, we were able to identify different reproductive states (cycling, non-cycling, pregnant) in 21 of 27 study females. In contrast, fEM profiles proved to be unsuitable for the detection of ovarian activity. For the majority (five of six females for which behavioural receptivity and endocrine cyclicity were determined), a coincidence of their receptive period and the hormonal oestrus, indicated by a nadir in fPM levels, could be detected. Conclusively, this study revealed a comprehensive behavioural repertoire that reflects the hormonal oestrus in SWR females and can therefore be reliably used for non-invasive ex situ reproduction monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Jenikejew
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jella Wauters
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Dehnhard
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marina Scheumann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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Jenikejew J, Wauters J, Dehnhard M, Scheumann M. The female effect-how female receptivity influences faecal testosterone metabolite levels, socio-positive behaviour and vocalization in male Southern white rhinoceroses. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab026. [PMID: 33959291 PMCID: PMC8084027 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone is known to be essential for sexual maturation as well as for the display of behavioural traits linked to reproduction. At the same time, external factors such as the presence of receptive females may affect testosterone levels, stressing the hormone's substantial role in reproductive success. It is therefore of major interest to investigate the links between androgens, behaviour and the social environment especially in species that rely on a resilient reproduction rate, such as the white rhinoceros (WR). We collected faecal samples of 16 male Southern WR (Ceratotherium simum simum) aged between 1 and 44 years from 11 European zoos. Audio and video recordings were simultaneously taken from five of the study males that were sexually mature and had direct contact with receptive females. Our results showed a positive correlation of faecal testosterone metabolite (fTM) concentrations and progressing age up until adulthood followed by a decline in older males. While previous reproductive success did not show any effect, the access to receptive females resulted in higher fTM levels. Thereby, fTM concentrations remained at the same level regardless of the receptivity phase, while social cohesion with respective females, affiliative behaviour as well as call rates of Pant and Hiss distinctly peaked during the receptive compared to the non-receptive periods. Conclusively, the immediate presence of receptive females poses a female effect that enhances the overall androgen levels in males and, thus, might facilitate their reproductive success. However, androgens do not seem to be the main driver of behavioural changes during courtship or mating. By linking endocrinological and socio-behavioural factors, we were able to provide an applicable basis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive behaviour in male WR in captivity, thereby contributing to deeper understanding of potential reproduction impairments in a species whose population in captivity remains not fully self-sustaining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Jenikejew
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jella Wauters
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Dehnhard
- Department of Reproduction Biology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marina Scheumann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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Korody ML, Ford SM, Nguyen TD, Pivaroff CG, Valiente-Alandi I, Peterson SE, Ryder OA, Loring JF. Rewinding Extinction in the Northern White Rhinoceros: Genetically Diverse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Bank for Genetic Rescue. Stem Cells Dev 2021; 30:177-189. [PMID: 33406994 PMCID: PMC7891310 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2021.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extinction rates are rising, and current conservation technologies may not be adequate for reducing species losses. Future conservation efforts may be aided by the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from highly endangered species. Generation of a set of iPSCs from multiple members of a species can capture some of the dwindling genetic diversity of a disappearing species. We generated iPSCs from fibroblasts cryopreserved in the Frozen Zoo®: nine genetically diverse individuals of the functionally extinct northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and two from the closely related southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). We used a nonintegrating Sendai virus reprogramming method and developed analyses to confirm the cells' pluripotency and differentiation potential. This work is the first step of a long-term interdisciplinary plan to apply assisted reproduction techniques to the conservation of this highly endangered species. Advances in iPSC differentiation may enable generation of gametes in vitro from deceased and nonreproductive individuals that could be used to repopulate the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa L Korody
- San Diego Zoo Global, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, Escondido, California, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sarah M Ford
- San Diego Zoo Global, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, Escondido, California, USA
| | - Thomas D Nguyen
- San Diego Zoo Global, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, Escondido, California, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Cullen G Pivaroff
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Iñigo Valiente-Alandi
- San Diego Zoo Global, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, Escondido, California, USA
| | - Suzanne E Peterson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Oliver A Ryder
- San Diego Zoo Global, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, Escondido, California, USA
| | - Jeanne F Loring
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
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Pennington PM, Marshall KL, Capiro JM, Howard L, Durrant BS. Pregnancies following long luteal phases in southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Zoo Biol 2019; 39:141-144. [PMID: 31797432 PMCID: PMC7187308 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
All extant species in the Rhinocerotidae family are experiencing escalating threats in the wild, making self‐sustaining captive populations essential genetic reservoirs for species survival. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) will become increasingly important for achieving and maintaining ex situ population sustainability and genetic diversity. Previous reports have shown that a large proportion of captive southern white rhinoceros (SWR) females are irregularly cyclic or acyclic, and that cycling females display two different estrous cycle lengths of approximately 30 or 70 days. It has been suggested that the longer estrous cycle length is infertile or subfertile, as no term pregnancies have been observed following long cycles. Here we report the achievement of two pregnancies following long luteal phases, using ovulation induction and artificial insemination with either fresh or frozen‐thawed semen. One female SWR conceived on the first insemination attempt and gave birth to a live offspring. A second female conceived twice in consecutive long cycles although the first embryo was resorbed by 33 days post‐insemination. A pregnancy from this female's second insemination is ongoing with expected parturition in November 2019. Whether prolonged estrous cycles in SWR are subfertile or infertile in natural breeding situations remains unclear. However, our findings demonstrate that the application of ARTs following prolonged cycles can result the successful establishment of pregnancies in SWR. Therefore, with ARTs, female SWR otherwise considered nonreproductive due to long estrous cycles may still have the potential for representation and contribution to the ex situ population. Two pregnancies were achieved following long luteal phases in two southern white rhinoceros females. We provide evidence that long luteal phases are not necessarily infertile or early pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jonnie M Capiro
- Animal Husbandry and Management, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, California
| | - Lauren Howard
- Veterinary Services, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, California
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