Building the Cryobank of Lombardia Farm Animal Genetic Resources: preliminary results.

Within the framework of the project "Risorse biologiche e tecnologie innovative per lo sviluppo sostenibile del sistema agro-alimentare" co-funded by Regione Lombardia and CNR, we are currently building the Cryobank of Lombardia farm animal genetic resources. In the cryobank, genetic material of Varzese cattle, Brianzola sheep and three local goats breeds will be stored. In order to reduce costs and overcome organisation difficulties, in some cases epididymal spermatozoa will be stored instead of semen. Moreover blood samples and hair will be stored for future DNA extraction. All information on the material stored and donor animals are managed through a specific software. Today five Varzese bulls for a total of approximately 1200 straws and epididymal sperm of 9 Brianzola rams (207 straws) are stored.