Project Number: 5402-31000-004-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Dec 27, 2007
End Date: Oct 15, 2012

Objective:
1. Develop germplasm and DNA/tissue collection coupled with measurement of diversity. o Continue to develop germplasm collections across species and associated information. o Evaluate, refine and implement pedigree clustering approach for germplasm collection. o Pursue approaches to compare collection to in-situ populations using quantitative and/or molecular approaches. o Develop collections of DNA and/or tissues containing DNA and associated information. 2. Further develop the animal section of the GRIN network. o Develop database information system that documents the germplasm/tissue collection (Version 2) and has multi-location capacity. o Expand descriptors for all species as defined by species committees, and substantially increase data collection efforts. 3. Develop methods for population regeneration. o Computationally determine approaches for population regeneration and their management. 4. Improve cryopreservation methods for tissues. o Development of predictors/evaluation of post-thaw semen viability. o Procedures for collection and freezing of small ruminant and/or beef oocytes. o Determination of optimal semen cryopreservation diluents and freezing methodologies.

Approach:
The over-arching goal of the National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP) is to increase the security of U.S. livestock genetic resources by the development of a repository containing diverse livestock genetic resources. The proposed objectives of this plan are important because they will: strengthen the genetic diversity contained in the collection; improve the ability and efficiency of reconstituting populations through improved cryopreservation procedures and reconstitution strategies; and provide potential collection users with a more comprehensive understanding of what is contained in the collection through the GRIN database. Executing these objectives will require the utilization of quantitative and molecular genetics, reproductive biology, cryopreservation, and information systems science. The beneficiaries of this effort cover a wide spectrum including: livestock breeders; researchers reconstituting populations and performing various types of molecular studies; and the American public at large which benefits from the increased food security the program provides.