How Developments in Cryobiology, Reproductive Technologies and Conservation Genomics Could Shape Gene Banking Strategies for (Farm) Animals

Abstract

Contents Many local breeds are currently at risk because of replacement by a limited number of specialized commercial breeds. Concurrently, for many breeds, allelic diversity within breeds declines because of inbreeding. Gene banking of germplasm may serve to secure the breeds and the alleles for any future use, for instance to recover a lost breed, to address new breeding goals, to support breeding schemes in small populations to minimize inbreeding, and for conservation genetics and genomics research. Developments in cryobiology and reproductive technology have generated several possibilities for preserving germplasm in farm animals. Furthermore, in some mammalian and bird species, gene banking of material is difficult or impossible, requiring development of new alternative methods or improvement of existing methods. Depending on the species, there are interesting possibilities or research developments in the use of epididymal spermatozoa, oocytes and embryos, ovarian and testicular tissue, primordial germ cells, and somatic cells for the conservation of genetic diversity in farm‐ and other animal species. Rapid developments in genomics research also provide new opportunities to optimize conservation and sampling strategies and to characterize genome‐wide genetic variation. With regard to gene banks for farm animals, collaboration between European countries is being developed through a number of organizations, aimed at sharing knowledge and expertise between national programmes. It would be useful to explore further collaboration between countries, within the framework of a European gene banking strategy that should minimize costs of conservation and maximize opportunities for exploitation and sustainable use of genetic diversity.

Current and alternative trends in antibacterial agents used in mammalian semen technology

“…Reproduction plays an important role in ensuring the efficiency of animal production (Woelders et al, 2012), maintaining their biodiversity, and supporting the conservation programs of vulnerable or threatened species (Costa and Martins, 2008). Thus, assisted reproductive techniques such as artificial insemination (AI) associated with semen technology allow the preserved male genetic material to be used in females that are isolated from the males.…”

Vitrification of porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes at the germinal vesicle stage does not trigger apoptosis in oocytes and early embryos, but activates anti-apoptotic <i>Bcl-XL</i> gene expression beyond the 4-cell stage

“…In mammals, cryopreservation of oocytes is an important approach for ex-situ gene 49 banking of female germplasm [1]. Additionally, cryopreservation enables flexible use of oocytes 50 in time and space for assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro embryo production 51 some modifications.…”

Colloids: Applications in Sperm Preparation for Assisted Reproduction

“…When the decision is reached to use conservation breeding to increase population numbers or to gene bank semen, there may be few males to choose from [37]. In such cases, it is important to preserve as many genes as possible, which in practice means using all available stallions regardless of sperm quality.…”