As part of the country-driven strategy for the management of animal genetic resources, FAO invited 188 countries to participate in the preparation of the First Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources. Utilizing the information provided in the 148 country reports ready for analysis in July 2005, this paper presents a global overview of the state of capacity and utilization of reproductive and molecular biotechnologies in the management of animal genetic resources. Regional descriptions outline the distribution of different biotechnologies, along with a discussion of the species and breed focus of their use, and stakeholder involvement in service delivery. Unsurprisingly, there is a big gap in biotechnology use between developed and developing countries, with artificial insemination being the technology most widely applied in developing countries. More complex technologies such as embryo transfer and molecular tools, are even less common in developing countries. Use of biotechnologies is in general biased towards cattle, and examples of the application of biotechnologies in the management of locally adapted breeds are limited. Most developing countries express the wish to increase the utilization of biotechnologies. However, in many cases clear plans for incorporating technologies into animal genetic resource management are lacking.

On-farm surveys and characterisation of six indigenous north Ethiopian cattle breeds (Afar, Arado, Begait, Fogera, Medenes and Raya) was carried out with the objective of determining the current status of these breeds. Information from a structured questionnaire distributed to 450 farmers, 37 group discussions, field measurements of heart girth and height on 25 males and 25 females from each breed and secondary information were used to carry out the study. Population size of the Arado breed increased by more than three fold between 1992 and 1999, while the Raya, Fogera and Begait population decreased by57, 27 and 67%; between 1981 and 1999 respectively. Three distinctive types were identified within the Afar and Begait breeds with different adaptation and threat levels in relation to changes to the bio-physical and social environment. Overall production and reproduction performance of the breeds in the pastoral production system (Afar and Begait) was higher than the Raya and Medenes, and Arado and Fogera breeds of the agro-pastoral and mixed crop/livestock production systems respectively. Extinction probability for most ofthe breeds was high, the highest (0.67) being for the Begait breed. On the other hand, except for the initiative taken to evaluate, improve and conserve the Fogera breed at the Metekel and Andasa cattle breeding ranches, there are no institutionalized attempts towards improving and/or conserving the other breeds.

Se describen las actividades de conservación y caracterización del bovino criollo peruano en el Instituto Nacional de Investigación y extensión Agraria (INIEA), las mismas que se han desarrollado con la activa interacción con las comunidades rurales de las regiones peruanas de Ancash, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Junín y Puno, dedicadas a la crianza de ganado criollo; en las comunidades también se llevaron a cabo trabajo de campo y charlas participativas sobre la conservación de sus morfotipos locales. Las actividades desarrolladas incluyen la caracterización morfológica y molecular empleando microsatélites y RFLP para detectar genotipos de proteínas lácteas (variantes de kappa caseínas y beta lactoglobulinas). Esta información será de utilidad para los programas de mejoramiento del bovino criollo peruano en las comunidades rurales.

Une enquête a été menée dans les régions de Bouaké et de Korhogo pour inventorier et caractériser les différents types de bovins à viande. Des mesures barymétriques ont été enregistrées sur 511 animaux à Bouaké et 929 à Korhogo pour lesquels les éleveurs ont été invités à indiquer le nom du type phénotypique. L'inventaire des élevages a permis d'identifier 5 types phénotypiques de bovins que sont le N'Dama, le Baoulé, le Zébu, le Méré et le “Métis”. Les descripteurs qui permettent d'identifier au mieux ces différents types de bovins sont la présence/absence de bosse, la couleur de la robe, le périmètre thoracique et la hauteur au garrot. Malgré le métissage qui s'exerce sur elles, les races taurines (N'Dama et Baoulé) présentent des populations homogènes et stables. Le Méré présente une population homogène dans la région de Korhogo et semble être un type phénotypique bien fixé avec 83% d'animaux bien classés. Le pourcentage moyen d'animaux bien classés dans les régions de Bouaké et Korhogo est respectivement de 79 et 68%; ce qui dénote une très bonne connaissance des animaux par les éleveurs. Les caractères déterminants identifiés à partir de cette analyse peuvent servir à définir les standards des races concernées.

North Bengal Grey (NBG) cattle are an important indigenous cattle genetic resource found mainly in the northern part of Bangladesh. The study was undertaken at Bogra Sadar, Shibgonj and Kahalu Upazila (sub-district) in the Bogra district. The physical and morphological characteristics, and the productive and reproductive performances of NBG cattle were studied. The coat colour of these animals is deep grey to white. The coat colour of the neck region in adult bulls was found to be generally ashy with a range of shades.

The body is small, compact and less fleshy. Ear length and ear width were 18.0±0.17 and 11.0±0.21 cm, respectively. The head length average was 38.0±0.56 cm, the head width 16.0±0.17 cm, the foreleg length average 65.0±0.64 cm, the hind leg length 71.0±0.64 cm, the tail length average 71.0±0.67 cm, the horn length average 9.0±0.39 cm, the horn diameter 10.0±0.37 cm, the average teat length 5.0±0.18 cm, the teat diameter 6.0±0.22 cm, the distance betweenthe front teats 7.0±0.13 cm and the distance between the rear teats 7.0±0.13 cm. Body length, height at wither and heart girth in adult cows were 105.0il.20, 94.0+1.12 and 127.0±1.52 cm, respectively.

The recorded highest peak milk production per day was 3.5±0.18 kg, lactation length was 219±6.1 days, and the dry period was 180±6.8 days. The average birth weight of calves was 18.4±0.52 kg and mature live weight of cows 241.0±4.0 kg. The age at first heat was 869±29.6 days, age at first calving 1191±19.7 days, gestation length 281±1.3 days, calving interval 442±7.4 days, postpartum heat period 110±4.2 days and the number of services per conception 1.4±0.6. About 54% of total cattle population was NBG cattle in the surveyed area of Bangladesh. The results indicated that the productive and reproductive performance of NBG cattle was better than other non-descript indigenous cattle of Bangladesh. The study further revealed an obvious need for more in-depth and objective information on wider samples of this type of indigenous cattle in order to assess the future need for conservation and improvement programs to be undertaken.

This paper reviews the successful N'Dama cattle genetic improvement programme implemented in a low input production system at the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) in 1994, in The Gambia. The first part of the paper presents the genetic improvement programme. The second part deals with the analysis of the genetic improvement programme. The success of the genetic improvement programme expressed through genetic progress and the benefits for the farmers is encouraging. Recommendations to strengthen the implementation process in the field are made.

Poltava chickens are native to Ukraine, with a remarkable history, genetics and economic traits. They include three varieties: Clay, Cuckoo and Black. The Poltava Clay variety exemplifies what can be achieved by thorough selection in transforming a local, low production chicken population into an established breed with high performance characteristics and selected line structure. Two other varieties, the Cuckoo and Black, are extinct but plans for their restoration are underway.

Six lines of laying chickens representing high-producing non-industrial lines chosen or produced with consideration for characters of production are being kept at the Agassiz Research Centre. The collection includes one Barred Plymouth Rock (Line 60), one Columbian Plymouth Rock, one Rhode Island Red (Line 50), and three White Leghorn lines (Blue, Black, and Burgundy). Before coming to the Agassiz Research Centre these pure lines were subjected to mild selection for egg production and their egg production approaches that of commercial hybrids. The lines are currently maintained as a genetic resource as live populations without selection and with populations large enough to minimize inbreeding. In addition, samples of DNA from these lines have been conserved for genetic studies, and samples of embryonic cells are being kept cryogenically to allow the possibility of reconstitution of the lines through the production of germline chimeras. Techniques of ovarian transplantation are being developed which will allow more efficient cryogenic conservation and recuperation of the genetic material into live populations.

The Mewari and Jaisalmeri breeds of camel are among the four major breeds of Indian camel. The Mewari breed is known for the production of milk and its adaptability to the hilly terrain of the Aravali hills in south Rajasthan whereas the Jaisalmeri breed is known for its riding and race potential. A total of 320 camels from 16 herds in eight villages belonging to three districts of the major breeding tract of the Mewari camel were covered. The population of the Mewari camel was estimated to be 16 221 heads with a 28% decline in the last five years. The extent of cross breeding was estimated to be 36%. The average adult Mewari camel had a 193 cm height at wither, 194 cm heart girth and 158 cm body length. Adult Mewari camels produce about 700 grams of hair per annum and the females produce 5–7 litres of milk per day. An integrated rotational grazing pasture development programme could be of great use in maintaining the Mewari camels with diverse livestock species under optimum production.

To define the status of the Jaisalmeri camel, an investigation encompassing 1 760 camel breeders belonging to the 181 villages distributed over the entire strata of the tract was carried out. The population of the Jaisalmeri camel was estimated to be 118 083 heads with a 31% decline in the last five years. An adult Jaisalmeri camel had a 199 cm height at wither, 211 cm heart girth and 156 cm body length. Adult males and females weighed 593 and 519 kg, respectively. Emphasis should be placed on making the breedable males of the breed available throughout the strata and on improving the utility of the breed for in-situ maintenance of genetic diversity in the breed.