[Preservation of genetic variation in domestic animals using biotechnical methods]

The conservation of endangered breeds as live animals is at present the main national strategy of the government and breeding organizations to maintain genetic diversity. Fourty-three breeds and some old strains of cattle, pig, sheep, goat and horses are currently involved. Cryopreservation and banks for sperm, embryos or DNA are another type of genetic material which could subsequently be used for breeding and production in agriculture. Present semen banks involve 9 endangered cattle breeds and also a small amount of deep-frozen sperm of some endangered sheep and horse breeds. Only 2 embryo banks are established in government projects for cattle breeds Murnau-Werdenfelser and the old type German black-white cattle.