1. Rustic gene reserves for the future of breed improvement technologies: old swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) strains and their perspectives.
- Author
-
Botha, Miklos, Petrescu-Mag, I. Valentin, and Gavriloaie, Claudiu
- Subjects
- *
ANIMAL germplasm , *SEMEN analysis , *WILD boar , *FOOT & mouth disease , *ANIMAL behavior ,ABNORMALITIES in livestock - Abstract
In the case of natural decline or disaster many livestock breeds (including swines) are irreversible vulnerable and could not be replaced. A concrete and recent example is that of the recent past outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in Britain. A large number of minority breeds, just as the rare breeds became highly endangered due to the enforcement of policies in case of epidemic diseases. The transfer of genetic material around the world is becoming increasingly more complex, and much of the stock currently held in Research Stations or Natural Reservations is largely irreplaceable. An outbreak of disease would devastate not only the entire breeding studs dating back several generations, but possibly also the nucleus of many breeds which are available in a limited stock. Many of these breeds have already proved their importance in the past, and they certainly still keep/carry many priceless genetic resources, therefore their loss would be immeasurable. Certain semen quantity is already preserved in AnGR (Animal Genetic Resources) storage facilities, but unfortunately it comprises material from only a few of the common breeds and is by no means a comprehensive or representative collection. In addition, because today the emphasis is on performance-rated sires, the collections of even the most common breed genitors are from a very narrow genetic base. In addition, farming technologies are permanently "evolving", generating a genetic pressure, and there is an inevitable gene loss due to reproductive discrimination (selection - the main improvement tool), therefore, often there is a need to go back to bloodlines that have adapted to specific tasks. A good example of this is when the original breed has been developed into large framed animal through the introduction of foreign semen, and is known as a breed adapted to specific climate condition. These animals, however, may be adapted to feed lot conditions but are not suitable for range conditions. It is of great importance that a variable genetic base of all livestock to be preserved so as to be available for future needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016