State of conservation of animal genetic resources in Slovakia

Abstract

To effectively conserve animal genetic resources, countries need to periodically review their conservation efforts and reflect on actual problems and challenges. This study provides a review of animal genetic resources conservation activities, as well as the related existing legislative measures, strategies and funding in Slovakia. We present the development of endangered and supported breeds, discuss the impact of subsidies and the importance of awareness raising, and provide a SWOT analysis of the current animal genetic resources conservation framework in the country. In Slovakia, conservation is primarily based on animal breeding in natural conditions (in situ) without any limitations to breed improvement, and cryoconservation of animal genetic resources is in its initial phase. Most of the funding for conservation measures is provided by the Rural Development Programme. In general, the animal genetic resources system in Slovakia is open in terms of including new breeds eligible for support and this paper shows that the provided subsidies helped to stabilize most of the supported populations. Promoting the presence, characteristics and advantages of local breeds in times of intensive import of exotic breeds into the country is crucial to motivate breeders to prefer local livestock breeds. While the future challenge for the government is to improve conservation and facilitate related activities, research should address not only diversity, pedigree studies and cryoconservation, but also focus on the characterization of animal genetic resources for food security and climate change.

Analysis of the Genetic Structure of Slovak White Shorthaired Goat breed using CSN1S1 gene

“…The current status of the breed is 7 514 individuals (CRHZ, 2022) out of which are 708 registered purebred females and 50 registered purebred males. The breed is recognized as an endangered breed (Tomka et al, 2022). The samples were collected from two breeding farms located in northern Slovakia.…”

Cryobank: Giải pháp khôi phục nhanh đàn vật nuôi sau dịch bệnh

“…Chính vì khả năng lưu trữ lâu dài như vậy, mà cryobank hay bảo quản lạnh là một trong những công cụ hữu ích không những trong sản xuất những con giống sạch bệnh mà còn để cải thiện chọn lọc, cải biến di truyền và bảo tồn nguồn gen. Chính vì tầm quan trọng của việc bảo quản lạnh mà trong kế hoạch toàn cầu của mình, FAO (2007FAO ( , 2012 đã kiến nghị thực hiện các chương trình bảo tồn nguồn gene động vật. Vì thế mà trên thế giới đã có rất nhiều ngân hàng gene đông lạnh ra đời như ở nhiều nước Châu Âu, Châu Phi ( Leroy et al, 2019;Iaffaldano et al, 2021;Tomka et al, 2022), Mỹ (Blackburn, 2009).…”