Incorporation of Biotechnologies into Gene Banking Strategies to Facilitate Rapid Reconstitution of Populations

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Gene banks need to respond to a variety of stakeholder needs, including rapid large-scale reconstruction of populations that may have been lost due to disease epidemics or are at risk from other causes. To date, reconstitution efforts have focused upon backcrossing schemes with semen, the use of embryos, or gonadal tissues, but there are a variety of assisted reproductive technologies that can be used that may be more effective approaches for reconstitution. For example, approaches such as in vitro fertilization combined with sex-sorted semen and primordial germ cells combined with gene-edited host chickens have not been explored in terms of the efficacy and efficiency for reconstitution. Due to the potential cost savings and biological efficiencies, it is imperative to determine how such approaches may be incorporated into gene bank collection strategies. Consequently, this manuscript describes these models and suggests gene bank collection goals for germplasm samples that are necessary to achieve success. ABSTRACT: National animal gene banks that are responsible for conserving livestock, poultry, and aquatic genetic resources need to be capable of utilizing a broad array of cryotechnologies coupled with assisted reproductive technologies to reconstitute either specific animals or populations/breeds as needed. This capability is predicated upon having sufficient genetic diversity (usually encapsulated by number of animals in the collection), units of germplasm or tissues, and the ability to reconstitute animals. While the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO 2012, 2023) developed a set of guidelines for gene banks on these matters, those guidelines do not consider applications and utilization of newer technologies (e.g., primordial germ cells, cloning from somatic cells, embryo transfer, IVF, sex-sorted semen), which can radically change how gene banks collect, store, and utilize genetic resources. This paper reviews the current status of using newer technologies, explores how gene banks might make such technologies part of their routine operations, and illustrates how combining newer assisted reproductive technologies with older approaches enables populations to be reconstituted more efficiently.