Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
Published on: August 8, 2017
Ex situ conservation of Holstein-Friesian cattle: comparing the Dutch, French, and US germplasm collections
C Danchin-Burge1, S J Hiemstra, H Blackburn
1AgroParisTech, UMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, 75231 Paris 05, France. coralie.danchin@inst-elevage.asso.fr
Abstract:
Holstein-Friesian (HF) gene bank collections were established in France, the Netherlands, and the United States to conserve genetic diversity for this breed. Genetic diversity of HF collections within and between countries was assessed and compared with active male HF populations in each country by using pedigree data. Measures of genetic diversity such as probability of gene origin inbreeding and kinship were calculated. The cryobanks have captured substantial amounts of genetic diversity for the HF compared with the current populations. A substantial part of the US, French, and Dutch collections seems to be genetically similar. On the other hand, the US collection in particular represents an interesting reservoir of HF genes of the past. Gene banks can play an important role in conserving genetic diversity within livestock breeds over time, and may support industry in the future when needed.
Related Concept Videos
Multi-species Conserved Sequences
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
Conservation of Small Populations
Gene Flow
Conservation of Declining Populations
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Genetic Variation
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...

