Methodologies to identify, evaluate and conserve poultry genetic resources

Abstract

Abstract: An increasing loss of genetic diversity has been observed for all agriculturally used species, and poultry genetic resources are considered to be one of the most endangered. Conservation of domestic animal diversity must encompass identifying, characterising and monitoring genetic resources for their best short-term use, whilst ensuring their long-term ready availability. As an important first step to describe the existent resources, country surveys were done as initiated by FAO, and these data were collected in the FAO Global Data Bank for Farm Animal Genetic Resources. Efficient methods have been developed to quantify genetic structure of genetic resource populations. Thereby, biodiversity can be described at several levels, from phenotypic observations to molecular data. Recently, molecular techniques have become available, and the most widely used technique is currently the genetic characterisation of populations at a range of microsatellite loci. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in genes and non-coding parts of the genome is considered as a worthwhile tool for the biodiversity assessment. A significant methodological way in studying poultry breed biodiversity is thought to be the system approach in planning experiments and analysing results. Another important step for the sustainable management of genetic resources is the establishment of conservation measures in situ as living populations or ex situ as cryopreserved material. The conservation methodologies seem to be especially critical in the third world countries where losses of native genetic resources may have a dramatic impact on sustainable