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Title: Reproductive biotechnologies and management of animal genetic resources

Author
item Blackburn, Harvey
item Purdy, Phil

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2010
Publication Date: 8/23/2010
Citation: Blackburn, H.D., Purdy, P.H. 2010. Reproductive biotechnologies and management of animal genetic resources. XIIIth European Poultry Conference, Tours France, August 23-27, 2010. Meeting Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: Global awareness has increased efforts to conserve animal genetic resources (AnGR). Ex-situ conservation and management of AnGR is exclusively dependent upon an array of reproductive and genetic biotechnologies. These technologies range from well established protocols, e.g., cryopreservation of sperm, to recently developed techniques like gonadal tissue preservation. As a result of these developments a range of options exist for conserving poultry genetic resources. By combining the biotechnologies discussed highly effective conservation actions can be achieved. In addition, new opportunities for the poultry community to cryopreserve populations currently not in use and to regenerate populations within a generation exist. Such ability not only provides conservation and protection of chicken populations of interest but also suggests that populations no longer need to be maintained in-situ while not in use. This has significant ramifications for the research community who has been under growing pressure to scale back the number of in-situ populations maintained. As a result of the development and continued refinement of reproductive biotechnologies poultry populations can be securely cryopreserved and regenerated as needed by industry or the research community.

Technical Abstract: Global awareness has increased efforts to conserve animal genetic resources (AnGR). Ex-situ conservation and management of AnGR is exclusively dependent upon an array of reproductive and genetic biotechnologies. These technologies range from well established protocols, e.g., cryopreservation of sperm, to recently developed techniques like gonadal tissue preservation. As a result of these developments a range of options exist for conserving poultry genetic resources. By combining the biotechnologies discussed highly effective conservation actions can be achieved. In addition, new opportunities for the poultry community to cryopreserve populations currently not in use and to regenerate populations within a generation exist. Such ability not only provides conservation and protection of chicken populations of interest but also suggests that populations no longer need to be maintained in-situ while not in use. This has significant ramifications for the research community who has been under growing pressure to scale back the number of in-situ populations maintained. As a result of the development and continued refinement of reproductive biotechnologies poultry populations can be securely cryopreserved and regenerated as needed by industry or the research community.