Research Project: National Animal Germplasm Program

Location: Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Bioclimatic thermal stress indices and their relationships with andrological characteristics in rams - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Molina, J.C., Da Silva, R., Bidegain, F., Souza, Y., Purdy, P.H., Blackburn, H.D., Azevedo, H. 2023. Bioclimatic thermal stress indices and their relationships with andrological characteristics in rams. International Journal of Biometeorology. 67(12):. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-023-02587-0.

Effects of cell concentration during cryopreservation on the post-thaw quality of Santa Inês ram sperm - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
De Oliveira, M.B., Molina, J.C., Santos Da Silva, R., Ramos, A.F., Purdy, P.H., Azevedo, H.C. 2022. Effects of cell concentration during cryopreservation on the post-thaw quality of Santa Inês ram sperm. CryoLetters. 43(6):357-367. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr22610110812.

Processed meat characteristics between commercial Duroc-sired and heritage breed Large Black pigs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Guo, Y., Sharp, K., Blackburn, H.D., Richert, B., Stewart, K., Zuelly, S. 2022. Processed meat characteristics between commercial Duroc-sired and heritage breed Large Black pigs. Foods. 11(15). Article e2310. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11152310.

The need for a framework addressing the temporal aspects of fish sperm motility leading to community-level standardization - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, H.D., Torres, L., Liu, Y., Tiersch, T.R. 2022. A framework addressing the temporal aspects of fish sperm motility leading to community-level standardization of assessment. Zebrafish. 19(4):119-130. https://doi.org/10.1089/zeb.2022.0006.

Assessing population structure and genetic diversity in U.S. Suffolk sheep to define a framework for genomic selection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wilson, C.S., Petersen, J.L., Blackburn, H.D., Lewis, R.M. 2022. Assessing population structure and genetic diversity in U.S. Suffolk sheep to define a framework for genomic selection. Journal of Heredity. 113(4):431-443. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esac026.

Gene bank collection strategies based upon geographic and environmental indicators for beef breeds in the United States of America - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
McManus, C.M., Hermuche, P.M., Paiva, S.R., Guimaraes, R.F., Carvalho, O.A., Blackburn, H.D. 2021. Gene bank collection strategies based upon geographic and environmental indicators for beef breeds in the United States of America. Livestock Science. 254. Article e104766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104766.

Section 6: Collection and cryopreservation of germplasm and tissues - (Book / Chapter)
Blesbois, E., Purdy, P.H., Santiago Moreno, J., Liptói, K., Rajamohan, A., De Souza-Fabjan, J., Somfai, T., Parnpai, R., McGrew, M.J., Mermillod, P., Bailey, J. 2023. Section 6: Collection and cryopreservation of germplasm and tissues. In: Boes, J., Boettcher, P., Honkatukia, M., editors. Innovations in Cryoconservation of Animal Genetic Resources - Practical Guide. FAO Animal and Health Guidelines, No. 33. Rome, Italy. p. 105-157. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3078en.

Evaluation of boar and bull sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction by flow cytometry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Purdy, P.H., Graham, J.K., Azevedo, H.C. 2021. Evaluation of boar and bull sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction by flow cytometry. Animal Reproduction Science. 246. Article e106846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106846.

Assisted gene flow using cryopreserved sperm in critically endangered coral - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hagedorn, M., Page, C.A., O'Neil, K., Flores, D.M., Tichy, L., Conn, T., Chamberland, V., Lager, C., Zuchowicz, N., Lohr, K., Blackburn, H.D., Vardi, T., Maraver, K. 2021. Assisted gene flow using cryopreserved sperm in critically endangered coral. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). 118(38). Article e2110559118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2110559118.

Section 3: Choice of biological material to be preserved - (Book / Chapter)
Purdy, P.H., Blesbois, E., Santiago Moreno, J., Parnpai, R., Smits, K., Somfai, T., Liptói, K., Rajamohan, A., McGrew, M.J., Roelen, B., Várkonyi, E.P., Loi, P., Paiva, S.R., Lessard, C., Zhao, X., Blackburn, H.D., Woelders, H., Bailey, J. 2023. Section 3: Choice of biological material to be preserved. In: Boes, J., Boettcher, P., Honkatukia, M., editors. Innovations in Cryoconservation of Animal Genetic Resources - Practical Guide. FAO Animal and Health Guidelines, No. 33. Rome, Italy. p. 41-68. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3078en.

Building a gene bank strategy - (Book / Chapter)
Blackburn, H.D., Tixier-Boichard, M., Hiemstra, S., Boettcher, P. 2022. Section 1: Building a gene banking strategy. In: Boes, J., Honkatukia, M., editors. Innovations in Cryoconservation of Animal Genetic Resources. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. p. 1-24.

Evolution of the sheep industry and genetic research in the United States: Opportunities for convergence in the 21st century - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Thorne, J.W., Murdoch, B.M., Freking, B.A., Redden, R.R., Murphy Jr, T.W., Taylor, J.B., Blackburn, H.D. 2021. Evolution of the sheep industry and genetic research in the United States: Opportunities for convergence in the 21st century. Animal Genetics. 52(4):395-408. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13067.

Dynamics of genomic architecture during composite breed development in cattle - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Paim, T., Hay, E.A., Wilson, C.S., Thomas, M., Kuehn, L.A., Pavia, S.R., McManus, C., Blackburn, H.D. 2020. Dynamics of genomic architecture during composite breed development in cattle. Genetic Selection Evolution. 51(2):224-234. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12907.

Critical factors for non-surgical artificial insemination in sheep - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Purdy, P.H., Spiller, S.F., McGuire, E., McGuire, K., Koepke, K., Lake, S., Blackburn, H.D. 2020. Critical factors for non-surgical artificial insemination in sheep. Small Ruminant Research. 191:106179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106179.

Genomic breed composition of selection signatures in Brangus beef cattle - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Paim, T., Hay, E.A., Wilson, C.S., Thomas, M., Kuehn, L.A., Pavia, S.R., McManus, C., Blackburn, H.D. 2020. Genomic breed composition of selection signatures in Brangus beef cattle. Frontiers in Genetics. 11. Article e00710. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.00710.

Mixed ancestry from wild and domestic lineages contributes to the rapid expansion of invasive feral swine - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Smyser, T.J., Tabak, M.A., Slootmaker, C., Robeson, M.S., Miller, R., Megens, H., Groenen, M., Paiva, S.R., Faria, D., Blackburn, H.D., Schmit, B., Piaggio, A.J. 2020. Mixed ancestry from wild and domestic lineages contributes to the rapid expansion of invasive feral swine. Molecular Ecology. 29(6):1103-1119. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15392.

Reconstitution and modernization of lost Holstein male linages using samples from a gene bank - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dechow, C.D., Liu, W.S., Specht, L.W., Blackburn, H.D. 2020. Reconstitution and modernization of lost Holstein male linages using samples from a gene bank. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17753.

Dynamics of genomic architecture during composite breed development in cattle - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Paim, T., Hay, E.A., Wilson, C.S., Thomas, M., Kuehn, L.A., Pavia, S.R., McManus, C., Blackburn, H.D. 2020. Dynamics of genomic architecture during composite breed development in cattle. Animal Genetics. 51(2):224-234. https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12907.

Conservation and utilization of livestock genetic diversity in the United States of America through gene banking - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, H.D., Wilson, C.S., Krehbiel, B.C. 2019. Conservation and utilization of livestock genetic diversity in the United States of America through gene banking. Diversity. 11(12):244. https://doi.org/10.3390/d11120244.

Random regression of Hereford percentage intramuscular fat on geographical coordinates - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Delgadillo Liberona, J.S., Langdon, J.M., Herring, A.D., Blackburn, H.D., Speidel, S.E., Sanders, S., Riley, D.G. 2019. Random regression of Hereford percentage intramuscular fat on geographical coordinates. Journal of Animal Science. 98(1):skz359. https://doi.org//10.1093/jas/skz359.

Evaluation of genetic structure across U.S. climate zones using prominent AI sires of Red Angus cattle - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Krehbiel, B.C., Thomas, M.G., Wilson, C.S., Speidel, S.D., Enns, M.R., Paiva, S.R., Blackburn, H.D. 2019. Evaluation of genetic structure across U.S. climate zones using prominent AI sires of Red Angus cattle. Livestock Science. 225:26-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2019.04.012.

Assessing Sus scrofa diversity among continental United States, and Pacific Islands populations using molecular markers from a gene banks collection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Faria, D., Pavia, S., Wilson, C.S., Blackburn, H.D. 2019. Assessing Sus scrofa diversity among continental United States, and Pacific Islands populations using molecular markers from a gene banks collection. Scientific Reports. 9:3173. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39309-9.

New world goat populations are a genetically diverse reservoir for future use - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Paim, T.P., Faria, D.A., Hay, E.A., McManus, C., Lanari, M.R., Esquivel, L.C., Cascante, M.I., Alfaro, E.J., Mendez, A., Faco, O., Silva, K.D., Mezzadra, C., Mariante, A., Pavia, S.R., Blackburn, H.D. 2019. New world goat populations are a genetically diverse reservoir for future use. Scientific Reports. 9(1):1476. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-38812-3.

Non-surgical artificial insemination of sheep; successes, challenges and opportunities - (Proceedings)
Purdy, P.H., Spiller, S.F., Blackburn, H.D. 2019. Non-surgical artificial insemination of sheep; successes, challenges and opportunities. Meeting Proceedings, Proceedings of the 27th Technical Conference on Artificial Insemination and Reproduction by the National Association of Animal Breeders, p. 25-29.

The effects of gelatin supplementation prior to cooling on ram semen quality and fertility. - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bandeira, A.M., Matos, J.E., Maria, A.N., Carneiro, P.C., Purdy, P.H., Azevedo, H.C. 2018. The effects of gelatin supplementation prior to cooling on ram semen quality and fertility.. Animal Reproduction(Colégio Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal?). 15(1):23-28. 10.21451/1984-3143-AR2017-0021.

Heritability estimations for inner muscular fat in Hereford cattle using random regressions - (Abstract Only)

The role of Genetic Drift and Selection Intensity on Small Populations: Sensitivity and Genomic Analysis - (Proceedings)

Biobanking genetic material for agricultural animal species - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Blackburn, H.D. 2018. Biobanking genetic material for agricultural animal species. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences. 6:69-82. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-030117-014603.