Characteristics of diluted-stored and post-thawed semen of Hutsul stallions

The use of frozen semen lowers the risk of disease transmission, eliminates geographical limitations and supports the implementation of genetic resource protection programs. However, due to the very rare use of frozen semen from Hutsul stallions, their genetic material is not secured in sperm banks, and very little information is available about their semen, including its suitability for cryopreservation, and sperm survival rates after thawing. The aim of this study was to analyse basic parameters such as sperm motility, vitality and morphology in diluted-stored and post-thawed Hutsul semen, using a CASA system. There were no differences in sperm motility (P = 0.3372) or morphology between the groups, although the progressive motility was higher in thawed semen (P = 0.0151), while the sperm vitality was higher in diluted-stored semen (P = 0.00517). This study demonstrates that semen from Hutsul horses is suitable for cryopreservation, thus supporting the creation of a sperm bank as a genetic reserve for representatives of this breed.

Development of a Methodology for Maintenance of Medicinal Plant Genetic Reserve Sites: A Case Study for Lithuania

In the context of climate change, in situ conservation of plant genetic resources is becoming increasingly important as it supports natural (ecological and evolutionary) adaptations of plants to the changing environment. The aim of this study was to synthesize a comprehensive general methodology for the maintenance of genetic reserve sites of medicinal plants based on the analysis of relevant legal documents, literature sources, databases, and authors’ own experience. A methodology was developed for the application of various maintenance measures for target species populations in genetic reserve sites to ensure their long-term sustainability. It uses a systematic approach to the intervention measures by grouping them into habitat-specific and factor-specific ones, and follows the specific principles of biodiversity conservation, such as the concept of ecosystem, priority of in situ conservation, caution and validity of decision-making, and regional approach. An extensive discussion on major intervention measures is provided. The methodology is intended to be used as a tool for the preparation and implementation of management plans of individual medicinal plant genetic reserve sites by the responsible agencies and protected area managers and is directly linked to the implementation of the EU (European Union) Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 at the national level.

Non-timber Amazonian Forest Products and Their Valuable Edible Nuts: Cutia Nut, Egg Nut, Sapucaia Nut and Brazil Nut

The Amazon region contains the world’s leading genetic reserve of native plants, with most of the area located in Brazil. This region is rich in species that little known or still unknown by the population at large, including species that produce non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as edible nuts. The objective was to verify the occurrence of these edible nuts in Brazil, to evaluate their potential and the possibility of other uses, in addition to expanding the knowledge about them. A bibliographic review of the last 50 years was carried out, mainly using the descriptors the popular name and the scientific name of the four nut trees present in the Amazon and their respective families, namely: agouti nut (Acioa edulis Prance) and egg nut (Acioa longipendula Pilg.) From the Chrysobalanaceae family, and sapucaia nut (Lecythis Pisonis Miers) and Brazil nut (Bertholletia excels Bonpl.) From the Lecythidaceae family. The Chrysobalanaceae has 450 species and 17 genera of woody plants and shrubs, producing oilseeds by some species, including egg and agouti nuts. The Lecythidaceae, on the other hand, has approximately 17 genera and 300 species, and in Brazil it is possible to find 9 genera and 122 species, 54 of them endemic, some of which produce edible seeds such as sapucaia and Brazil nuts. Those species have a great nutritional potential, and the chemical composition of their nuts reveals a good amount of lipids and proteins, but more in-depth research on the subject is necessary, including on other biases for better knowledge of the species, discovery of other potential uses and benefits and, consequently, their valorization.

Economic Traits Selection and Genetic Parameters of Herd Cows of the Aberdeen-Angus Breed

Представлены результаты исследования по выявлению хозяйственно-биологических особенностей и селекционно-генетических параметров селекционируемых признаков коров стада абердин-ангусской породы австралийской репродукции. По результатам исследования выявлено, что генетический потенциал продуктивности максимально выражен в возрасте пяти лет (у полновозрастных коров) и перманентно сохраняется до девятилетнего возраста. Рост основных селекционируемых признаков с двух до пяти лет составил по живой массе 15,1%, по молочности – 5,1%. С увеличением возраста маток отмечен стабильный рост показателя «выход деловых телят» на 2,3%. Селекционный дифференциал за три поколения у коров в трёхлетнем возрасте по живой массе составил 23 кг и по молочности – 7,4 кг, коэффициент наследуемости составил 0,42 по живой массе и 0,36 – по молочности коров, эффект селекции по живой массе за поколение составил 9,7 кг, за год – 1,9 кг, по молочности – 2,7 кг и 0,5 кг соответственно. У генотипированных коров по схеме мать-дочь эффект селекции за поколение был выше у гетерозиготных генотипов дочерей, рождённых в Курганской области. Знание и рациональное использование традиционных и новых по ДНК маркерных методов селекции на производстве позволит выявить, а также реализовать генетический резерв животных и управлять селекционным процессом при совершенствовании племенного стада абердин-ангусской породы. The results of research on detecting of commercial-biological features and selection-genetic parameters of cows’ features under selection of the Australian reproduction Aberdeen-Angus breed herd of are presented. According to the results of the research it was revealed that the genetic potential of productivity is maximally expressed at the age of 5 years (in mature cowbanes) and persists permanently until the age of nine. The growth of the main features under selection from two to five years amounted to 15.1% by live weight, 5.1% by milking capacity. With an increase in the age of the dams a stable increase in the "calf crop percent" by 2.3% was noted. The selection differential for three generations in cows at the age of three years in living weight was 23 kg and in milking capacity – 7.4 kg, the inheritance coefficient was 0.42 in living weight and 0.36 - in milking capacity of cows, the effect of selection by live weight per generation was 9.7 kg, for the year – 1.9 kg, in milking capacity – 2.7 kg and 0.5 kg, respectively. In genotyped cows according to the dam-daughter scheme genetic progress through selection per generation was higher in heterozygous genotypes of daughters born in the Kurgan region. Knowledge and rational use of traditional and new DNA marker methods of selection at the place of production will allow identifying, as well as unlocking the genetic reserve of animals and managing the selection process while improving the breeding herd of the Aberdeen-Angus breed.

Carcass, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of meat from genetic reserve ducks after two reproductive seasons

The aim of the study was to compare carcass composition and meat quality of i) Pekin ducks of French origin (P9), ii) crosses of wild mallard and Pekin duck (K2), and iii) crosses of Khaki Campbell drakes and Orpington Fauve ducks (KhO1). Twenty carcasses from 110-week-old ducks of each genetic group were used. Carcass weight of P9 was significantly higher than that of K2 and KhO1. Carcasses of K2 ducks had a significantly lower percentage of neck and leg muscles and giblet weight compared with P9 and KhO1 ducks, while carcasses of KhO1 ducks had a significantly higher percentage of wing meat compared with K2 and P9, and a significantly lower percentage of breast muscles compared with P9 ducks. Breast and leg muscles of P9 contained significantly more water than those of K2 and KhO1, and the breast muscles of P9 ducks had more protein and less fat than those of KhO1 birds. The leg muscles of KhO1 contained significantly more protein, and those of K2 had significantly more fat than the other duck groups. Breast muscles of P9 and KhO1 ducks had significantly more collagen but had less in leg muscles compared with K2. Breast fillets from P9 ducks showed higher L*, a*, and b* colour values and shear force than K2 and KhO1 ducks. Keywords: carcass composition, conservation flocks, meat quality, spent duck

Patterns of Genetic Diversity and Implications for In Situ Conservation of Wild Celery (Apium graveolens L. ssp. graveolens)

In Germany, the wild ancestor (Apium graveolens L. ssp. graveolens) of celery and celeriac is threatened by genetic erosion. Seventy-eight potentially suitable genetic reserve sites representing differing ecogeographic units were assessed with regard to the conservation status of the populations. At 27 of the 78 sites, 30 individual plants were sampled and genetically analyzed with 16 polymorphic microsatellite makers. The Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) was applied to identify clusters of genetically similar individuals. In most cases (25 out of 27 occurrences) individuals clustered into groups according to their sampling site. Next to three clearly separated occurrences (AgG, AgUW, AgFEH) two large groups of inland and Baltic Sea coast occurrences, respectively, were recognized. Occurrences from the coastal part of the distribution area were interspersed into the group of inland occurrences and vice versa. The genetic distribution pattern is therefore complex. The complementary compositional genetic differentiation Δj was calculated to identify the Most Appropriate Wild Populations (MAWP) for the establishment of genetic reserves. Altogether 15 sites are recommended to form a genetic reserve network. This organisational structure appears suitable for promoting the in situ conservation of intraspecific genetic diversity and the species’ adaptability. As seed samples of each MAWP will be stored in a genebank, the network would likewise contribute to the long-term ex situ conservation of genetic resources for plant breeding.

140 EFFECTIVENESS OF WASHING PROCEDURES FOR REMOVING BRUCELLA ABORTUS FROM IN VIVO-DERIVED WOOD BISON EMBRYOS

Endemic brucellosis threatens wild herds of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) in and around Wood Buffalo National Park, the largest genetic reserve of wood bison in the world. The overall goal of our project was to produce and preserve disease-free embryos for the purpose of conserving the genetic diversity of this species. The aim of the present experiment was to determine the effectiveness of washing procedures for removing Brucella bacteria from in vivo-derived wood bison embryos exposed in vitro to the pathogen. Wood bison cows were given 300 mg im of Folltropin diluted in 0.5% hyaluronan on the day of follicle wave emergence (Day 0) and 100 mg im of hyaluronan on Day 2, and then given 2500 IU im of hCG on Day 5 and inseminated 12 and 24 h later. Embryos were collected on Day 13. The experiment was done in 6 replicates (n = 4 bison/replicate) and an average of 9 embryos/replicate were collected. Zona pellucida-intact embryos were kept in holding medium (PBS + 2% fetal calf serum) and transported to a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory at the International Vaccine Centre, University of Saskatchewan. Embryos were transferred through 5 aliquots of holding medium to remove any contaminant before exposure to Brucella. Embryos were divided equally into 2 Petri dishes (representing later wash groups with v. without antibiotics) containing 2.7 mL of holding medium (n = 2 to 7 embryos per dish/replicate). In a Class II biosafety cabinet, Brucella abortus biovar 1 (1 × 107 to 1 × 109 CFU mL–1 in 0.3 mL) was added to each Petri dish and incubated for 2 h at 37°C in 8% CO2. A sample of holding medium was taken before exposure and after incubation for culture as negative and positive controls, respectively. After incubation, embryos in each Petri dish were subjected to a 10-step washing procedure (according to the IETS Manual, 2010) using wash medium (PBS + 0.4% BSA) without antibiotics or with antibiotics (100 IU mL–1 of penicillin + 100 μg mL–1 of streptomycin). The embryo wash medium was cultured at wash steps 1, 3, 6, and 9. After the tenth wash, the zona pellucida of each embryo was ruptured mechanically using a glass pipette and embryos were cultured individually. Culturing of samples was done on sheep blood agar and specific identification of Brucella organisms was done by PCR. Brucella abortus was detected in 3 embryos from the group washed in medium without antibiotics (3/27), whereas all embryos washed in medium with antibiotics were culture negative (0/27). Brucella abortus was not detected in wash media after the third wash in either group (with or without antibiotics). In summary, Brucella abortus was removed from 89% of in vitro-exposed wood bison embryos using the washing procedure without antibiotics, and from 100% using the washing procedure with antibiotics. Results validate the embryo washing technique for producing Brucella-free wood bison embryos. Thanks to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for the field strain of Brucella abortus, Bioniche AH for Folltropin and embryo collection supplies, Merck AH for hCG (Chorulon), and Intervac/VIDO for technical and logistical support.

Genetic gap analysis of wildHordeumtaxa

To facilitate the updating ofin situandex situconservation strategies for wild taxa of the genusHordeumL., a combined ecogeographic survey and gap analysis was undertaken. The analysis was based on the Global Inventory of Barley Plant Genetic Resources held by ICARDA plus additional datasets, resulting in a database containing 17,131 wildHordeumaccessions. The analysis concluded that a genetic reserve should be established in the Mendoza Province of Argentina, as this is the most species-rich area globally forHordeum. A network of reserves should also be set up across the Fertile Crescent in Israel, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey to provide effective conservation within the centres of diversity for gene pools 1B (Hordeum vulgaresubsp.spontaneum(C. Koch) Thell.) and 2 (Hordeum bulbosumL.). The majority of the species were deemed under-collected, so further collecting missions are required worldwide where possible. Althoughex situandin situconservation strategies have been developed, there needs to be further investigation into the ecological environments thatHordeumspecies occupy to ensure that any adaptive traits expressed are fully conserved. Additionally, studies are required to characterize existing collections and test the viability of rare species accessions held in genebanks to determine whether furtherex situcollections are required alongside the proposedin situconservation.