The Animal Genetic Resources of Canada operates a gene-bank for livestock and poultry genetic resources.
The Animal Genetic Resources of Canada (AnGRC) group encourages owners of heritage breed farm animals to help preserve genetic material. AnGRC’s responsibility is to protect the bio-diversity of Canada’s farm animal population by acquiring, evaluating and cryo-preserving tissue and germplasm for future use, but they need your help.
“We do it with anything and everything,” said Crissie Auckland, VT with Animal Genetic Resources of Canada (AnGRC) explaining they collect genetic material from across a broad spectrum of plants and animals.
In terms of farm mammals Auckland said they typically get material from cattle and swine with some horses and on occasion goats and sheep.
“I think it’s getting more and more interest,” said Auckland, adding that comes with producers being more aware of the service.
Auckland told Prairie Hog Country AnGRC has developed a method to salvage sperm cells from the epididymis — (the reproductive organ sitting on the testes) — from dead or castrated animals – if the gonadal tissue is packed properly for shipping. The epididymis is a reservoir for sperm, and it is crucial this remain intact throughout removal of the scrotum from the body
In good conditions, a significant proportion of cells can survive at least 48 hours, and that does mean immediate action is required, especially if an animal one wishes to collect is found dead, said Auckland who said the clock in terms of viability begins to tick when blood stops flowing.
Obviously when material is collected at time of castration producers know precisely when the 48-hour starts.
Once material is collected it needs to be shipped in a way that best preserves the specimen.
Auckland said extreme heat and cold are both detrimental. So typically material is shipped in a Styrofoam container with a couple of ice packs, but the testicles of the animal is wrapped in paper to avoid direct contact with the ice packs.
Once the sample is received Auckland said sperm collection is undertaken almost immediately.
In the case of swine the amount of semen which can typically be collected is significant. Auckland said realistically 300 straws might be collected although not everyone wants that many as storage must be considered.
While there is no direct cost for the service, Auckland said they do keep half, to a maximum of 60 straws for the gene-bank.
That is at the heart of the program maintaining a genetics bank.
“Loss of genetic diversity is a threat to future production because without it, breeders have less natural variation to fight against outbreak diseases or to respond to a sudden change of consumer demand,” detailed online material on the program. “In an effort to produce the most productive animal, other characteristics are often lost (resistance to disease, size of animal, ability to thrive in heat, etc) – characteristics that could be of importance for future agriculture needs.”
The AnGRC team works closely with the industry, particularly rare breed association and heritage breed enthusiasts. They also collaboratively work with the producers, returning back to them viable sperm for their future use.
The AnGRC team encourage owners of heritage breed animals to consider donating removed scrotums to the AnGRC group.
“Rare breeds is where the value is,” said Auckland of the program.
Currently the program has semen in storage from a number of swine breeds including Berkshire, Lacombe, Duroc, Hampshire, Large Black, Large White, Kunekune, Yorkshire and Meishan.
Producers can apply for access to straws of stored semen, although Auckland said there is a process through CFIA to be followed in terms of ensuring health protocols.
Those interested in the program can email aafc.materielgeneticanimal-rganc-animalgermplasm-angrc.aac@agr.gc.ca, or
Auckland directly at
Crissandra.Auckland@agr.gc.ca
Cell: 306-241-1945 •
— By Calvin Daniels