Animal Genetic Resources

These are mainly animal species with an important function in agriculture, for which the Netherlands is a leading breeding country, such as cattle, pigs, chickens, horses, goats and sheep. In addition, the gene bank contains breeds of animal species that are of cultural-historical value for agriculture in the Netherlands and belong to our living heritage, such as ducks, geese, pigeons, dogs and rabbits.

In the gene bank database, you can search for breeds and individual animals yourself.

Donor selection

The CGN secures genetic diversity within a breed through targeted selection of donor animals. We select as many unrelated animals as possible based on pedigree or DNA data.

Relevant breed societies and livestock farmers are consulted in the selection of animals of which genetic material is stored. A livestock farmer or breed society can also make their own proposal and contact the CGN.

Number of samples

The aim is to store enough material for all Dutch farm animal breeds that when a breed becomes extinct, a healthy population can be bred back, which we call the core collection. A special calculation programme is used to calculate the amount of semen and/or embryos to be stored per breed and per donor animal per species.

For each species, there are special protocols, optimised for cryoconserving genetic material. This ensures successful use of the genebank material in the future.

To safeguard the quality of genebank material, reliable freezing methods and protocols are needed. The CGN develops and improves methods for cryopreservation of sperm, embryos and oocytes from various animal species. Freezing semen from a new species is preceded by research on semen collection and freezing methods. We also investigate the fertilising ability of frozen material to validate freezing methods.

Breeding societies and individual breeders can request genetic material from the genebank.

We assess requests based on a number of issuance criteria (view the infographic down below). This includes assessing whether the request supports the conservation of a breed or is necessary to realise breeding goals. Requests are always discussed with the relevant breeding society and take into account any conditions posed by the original owner. For research requests, we assess the value of the project and make agreements on the availability of the data once the research has been completed.

• Submit request

Want to know what the application and issuance process looks like in practice? The CGN has created a handy infographic depicting the whole process step by step.

• Download the infographic

Breeding societies and animal breeders can offer genetic material to the genebank in various ways.

Genetic material, such as sperm and embryos, that has already been frozen and (partly) used in breeding, but is not expected to be further used, can be transferred to the CGN. In doing so, the CGN will assume ownership and store the material in its gene bank collection.

Do you have material that you would like to transfer to the CGN? For all breeds and species, belonging to the group of farm animals, please contact the gene bank managers of the CGN: cgn.dier@wur.nl.

Additional information

In consultation with a breeding society, it can be discussed what is the best way to supplement the genebank with new material. The first step is to see of which animals semen has already been frozen and of which living animals it may be useful to store semen in the genebank. Our aim is to preserve as much genetic variation as possible. Breeding societies' boards will alert the CGN about interesting animals. Breeders can inquire with their board whether it would be relevant to add an animal to the genebank. Then, arrangements can be made on how the semen can be sourced.

Are you willing to cooperate in the conservation of Dutch breeds? Then contact your breeding society. The breeding societies can advise you on the most suitable option and provide information on any additional conditions.

A breed is considered Dutch when it has been in the Netherlands for at least 40 years plus six generations. There are over 140 Dutch breeds distributed over 12 animal species.

These breeds originate in the Netherlands and have a function for the production of food (milk, meat, eggs) or the provision of services (such as shepherd dogs or workhorses).

The majority of these 140 Dutch breeds are rare, with several being of major importance to the global industry, such as purebred pigs and Dutch bred sport horses. CGN also monitors those populations of which the organisations have a head office and breeding programme in the Netherlands.

In this framework CGN works closely with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland), the Dutch Rare Breed Survival Trust (Stichting Zeldzame Huisdierrassen, SZH) and the breed societies and studbooks.

Interesting link:

• FAO State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources

CGN advises breed societies on the development of sustainable breeding programmes and the conservation of diversity within the breed. We carry out population analyses using available pedigree or DNA data. These analyses provide the breed societies with a basis to further develop their breeding programmes and allow CGN to select animals for its genebank. Breeding companies can contact us for advice.

CGN provides policy advice to the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and international organisations such as the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Commission. CGN has partnerships with colleagues in European networks, with social organisations in the Netherlands such as the Dutch Rare Breed Survival Trust (SZH), and with the breeding industry.

Reliable cryo-conservation methods and protocols are essential to ensure the quality of the genebank material. CGN develops and improves methods for the cryo-conservation of sperm, embryos and oocytes of various animals. In addition, we research the fertilisation capacity of frozen material to validate cryo-conservation methods.

CGN uses DNA research to analyse the genetic diversity within breeds and genebank collections. This allows us to map the genetic traits of the breeds as well as the total genetic variations within breeds and animal species.

CGN developed a DNA test for rare cattle breeds to determine the breed of animals without pedigree information. When test results show that the cattle belong to a certain breed this can be included in the studbook.

Our software for analysis of genetic diversity and simulation of breeding programmes:

• The inbreeding monitor: (Retriever) Analyses studbook data and provides information on inbreeding, inbreeding rates and population structures
• GenManSim (Pointer): Uses data on the population structure to predict future inbreeding rates for various breeding strategies
• Conservation planner: Excel application to determine the amount of genetic material (sperm and/or embryos) required to conserve or recover a population (zip file)