Biobanking genetic resources: challenges and implementation at the USDA National Animal Germplasm Program
P. H. Purdy A B , C. S. Wilson A , S. F. Spiller A and H. D. Blackburn AA USDA1, Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Germplasm Program, 1111 S. Mason St. Fort Collins, CO 80521-4500, USA.
B Corresponding author. Email: phil.purdy@ars.usda.gov
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 28(8) 1072-1078 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD15399
Submitted: 6 October 2015 Accepted: 24 November 2015 Published: 18 December 2015
Abstract
There is adequate infrastructure in the US to identify and acquire germplasm from the major beef and dairy cattle and swine breeds. However, when we venture outside these species, the same tasks become more difficult because of a lack of breed associations, databases that include genotypic and phenotypic data and low numbers of animals. Furthermore, acquisition of germplasm from non-cattle and non-swine species can be difficult because these animals are often not located near the National Animal Germplasm Program, which makes collection and preservation of the samples in a timely manner that much more complicated. This problem is compounded because not all preservation protocols are optimised for field collection conditions or for all types of germplasm. Since 1999, the USDA National Animal Germplasm Program has worked to overcome these obstacles by developing policies, procedures and techniques in order to create a germplasm repository for all agricultural species (wild and domesticated) in the US. Herein, we describe these activities and illustrate them via a case study on how our efforts collecting Navajo-Churro sheep have created a secure backup of germplasm and how we specifically overcome these issues as they relate to rare and minor breeds of agricultural species.
Additional keywords: artificial insemination, assisted reproductive technologies, cryopreservation, embryo, oocyte, semen.
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