N Dama Cattle Conservation: The Potential Roles of Artificial Insemination and the National Policy

Regular access to genetically superior bulls from an open nucleus breeding system is an impetus for N’Dama cattle utilization and conservation. However, shortage in the number of bulls that could be distributed to the farmers for subsequent breeding remains a challenge in some countries of West Africa. In this regard, the potential benefit of artificial insemination (AI) and the roles of national policy were assessed. The open nucleus-breeding scheme of International Trypanotolerance Center (ITC) in the Gambia was used as a case study and the research questions were answered with literature review, focus group discussion, and Likert-scale questionnaire. Introduction of AI into the breeding scheme of N’Dama cattle can create higher selection intensity and promote a wider dissemination of genetic gain made at the nucleus. With improved AI techniques, a better use of improved N’Dama bulls can be achieved. Notwithstanding, there are concerns about low pregnancy rate, quality of the semen, inadequate knowledge of AI technicians, and the regular availability of quality bulls. For the Gambian national policy, the environmental component is the most relevant for conservation of N’Dama cattle. This can be buttressed with more flexibility and a clearer communication of the objectives through workshops and local media

Aquatic Genetic Resources (AqGR) in The Netherlands : Country report

This report is based on the submitted questionnaire on Aquatic Genetic Resources in the Netherlands, which was prepared on request of the FAO as input for the State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The report describes the state of the Dutch aquaculture sector and the most important factors influencing species diversity in the sector and their wild relatives in the Netherlands

Optimising ex situ genetic resource collections for European livestock conservation

Ex situ collections offer the potential to reduce extinction risks, affording option to society in maintaining future breeding opportunities for productivity and heritage traits. However, how much should we be seeking to collect and conserve in gene banks, and where? We developed a mathematical model to optimize logistical decisions of breed conservation choices and to evaluate alternative scenarios for efficiently re-allocating genetic materials currently stored in different European gene banks, allowing for cross-country collections, cost and cryogenic capacity differentials. We show how alternative allocations for the breeds that are currently stored in 11 European gene banks could reduce overall conservation costs by around 20% by selecting cryogenic banks that have relatively lower combination of fixed and collection costs, and are geographically closer to collection regions. Our results show that centralizing collections in one gene bank would double the costs, relative to collective European collections approaches. We also calculate marginal costs of collections and show that increasing diversity within the gene banks implies in higher costs per conserved breed.</p

Noodzaak voor genetisch beheer van de Nederlandse trekpaardenpopulatie

The Dutch Draught horse is a rare Dutch horse breed. To conserve rare breeds, it is of great importance to monitor population size and increase in inbreeding and kinship in a population. When screening the Dutch Draught horse population, it turned out that inbreeding (and potential consequences) should be controlled by the studbook (KVTH) with participation of breeders. During the most recent generation (2010-2017) fewer foals were born annually compared to the generation before. Also, the percentage of foals that is used in breeding at a later age decreased steadily. At the same time there is a considerable increase in the kinship between horses that are used in breeding. The increase in inbreeding passes the FAO threshold of 0.5% per generation. In light of the increase in kinship, we expect that the increase in inbreeding will even be higher in the future. Screening the population clearly showed that genetic management is needed to be able to better control inbreeding (and potential accompanying consequences). It is possible to drastically reduce the inbreeding increase through genetic management

Heterogeneity of a dwarf phenotype in Dutch traditional chicken breeds revealed by genomic analyses

The growth of animals is a complex trait, in chicken resulting in a diverse variety of forms, caused by a heterogeneous genetic basis. Bantam chicken, known as an exquisite form of dwarfism, has been used for crossbreeding to create corresponding dwarf counterparts for native fowls in the Dutch populations. Here, we demonstrate the heterogeneity of the bantam trait in Dutch chickens and reveal the underlying genetic causes, using whole‐genome sequence data from matching pairs of bantam and normal‐sized breeds. During the bantam‐oriented crossbreeding, various bantam origins were used to introduce the bantam phenotype, and three major bantam sources were identified and clustered. The genome‐wide association studies revealed multiple genetic variants and genes associated with bantam phenotype, including HMGA2 and PRDM16, genes involved in body growth and stature. The comparison of associated variants among studies illustrated differences related to divergent bantam origins, suggesting a clear heterogeneity among bantam breeds. We show that in neo‐bantam breeds, the bantam‐related regions underwent a strong haplotype introgression from the bantam source, outcompeting haplotypes from the normal‐sized counterpart. The bantam heterogeneity is further confirmed by the presence of multiple haplotypes comprising associated alleles, which suggests the selection of the bantam phenotype is likely subject to a convergent direction across populations. Our study demonstrates that the diverse history of human‐mediated crossbreeding has contributed to the complexity and heterogeneity of the bantam phenotype.<br/

Behoud en duurzaam gebruik van aquatische genetische bronnen : Verkenning van prioriteiten voor de WOT Genetische Bronnen

The Centre for Genetic Resources, The Netherlands, (CGN) of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), carries out Statutory Research Tasks (WOT) for the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) to support the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources for food and agriculture (www.wur.nl/cgn). With respect to recent developments in the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture on Aquatic genetic resources, LNV asked CGN to explore the need to also include WOT on Aquatic genetic resources in the next 5-year WOT program that runs from 2021 to 2025. The FAO defines aquatic genetic resources as 'farmed aquatic species and their wild relatives'. In the Netherlands these include several relevant species of shellfish, fish and seaweeds. Priorities have been determined based on interviews with experts and representatives from the aquaculture sector, and by using literature sources. Monitoring of genetic diversity in relevant species of shellfish, fish and seaweed, both wild and cultured populations, is a general priority area for aquatic genetic resources in the Netherlands. Next, based on the monitoring data, advise will be formulated for in situ and/or ex situ conservation measures for the most relevant aquatic genetic resources. CGN manages genebank facilities for long term cryoconservation of genetic diversity in livestock species, that can also be used for the purpose of cryoconservation of priority species of shellfish, fish and seaweeds

Euroopan kotieläintuotanto ja kulutus vakaata

vo

Meerjarenplan WOT Genetische Bronnen 2022-2026 : Bijlage bij de Uitvoeringsovereenkomst van de WOT Genetische Bronnen

The Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN) carries out Statutory Research Tasks (“WOT”) for the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The aim of CGN is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of plant, animal, forest and aquatic genetic resources, and to support the implementation and further development of relevant international agreements (CBD, NP, FAO, EU). CGN maintains and develops genebank collections (ex situ), promotes the use of the collections for breeding and research, and contributes to the further development of sustainable and resilient food systems and forestry. Besides management of gene bank collections, CGN also supports the conservation and monitoring of genetic diversity in plants, farm animals, trees and aquatic species in situ and on-farm