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Conservation and Utilization of Farm Animal and Aquatic Genetic Resources in Chinese Taipei：Part I. Farm Animals

 

Hsiu-Luan Chang, Chinese Taipei

 

 

There has been an increasing awareness in the importance of the conservation of animal genetic resources, not only of wildlife, but also of domestic livestock since the early of 1960s.  For the global survey data with pig, cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep, horse and ass obtained by FAO, there are 2,719 breeds currently utilized and over 390 breeds of those are known to be at risk (Loftus, 1994).  Most of indigenous breeds in Chinese Taipei, which were important for animal industry due to their local favorite, are subject to elimination for low production efficiency when compared to that of exotic breeds, although native chicken and Tsaiya duck are still utilized in the domestic commercial level not international market.  The native breeds generally maintain one or more adapting characteristics to the living environment, which may provide useful or potentially useful genes or combinations of genes for the future needs.  For example, prolificacy and early maturity of pig, heat tolerance of Taiwan yellow cattle, disease-resistance of Formosan buffalo, roughage tolerance of Chinese goose and meat flavor of native chicken.  Furthermore, most of native breeds in Chinese Taipei are still raised in graze product system.  This was recognized at the 8^th Board Meeting of the Advisors for Science and Technology－Agriculture Group in Chinese Taipei in April 1986, which formally recommended that life resources should be preserved so that their genes will not be forever lost due to the concentration on a limited and highly selected strains.  Consequently a large-scale pilot national project, “Germplasm Preservation and Utilization in Domestic Animals”, was initiated in 1987.

 

Objectives

Taiwan Livestock Research Institute (TLRI) along with its branch institutes and propagation stations, together with Animal Science Departments in both National Taiwan University and National Chung-Hsing University, were selected as primary sites to conserve and propagate living population for native farm animals.  The main objectives of the conservation programme are:

1.  to establish native farm animal populations for conservation of animal genetic resources and to prevent genetic erosion.

2.  to collect informative data on physiology, genetic and economic related traits as well as living habit for characterization of native breeds which may provide valuable genetic resources in developing alternative stocks with characteristics of native breeds for meeting a wide variety of market/production conditions.

3.  to establish a multi-faceted, computerized information and communication system to support the descriptive information, e.g., performance and production attributes of farm animals.

4.  to apply biotechniques in conservation of germ cells for conserved native breeding stocks and thus corresponding genetic materials.

The action plan calls for amalgamation of existing capabilities of all animal research related units with the TLRI playing a nuclear role.  In the program, the COA is the highest authority in setting guidelines and in providing funds for operations and research projects.  On the operational aspects, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry under the Taiwan Provincial Government (PDAF) directs its subordinate research institutes and stations to implement the conservation activities.

 

Methods for Conservation and Utilization

There are three methods have been used to preserve livestock germplasm, i.e., maintaining live populations, cryopreserving germ cells, and establishing DNA stores.  Animal resources in Chinese Taipei are bounteous and are preserved for improving exotic breeds in terms of future production performance and efficiency.  Conservation and integration of germplasm for new variants are attempts to use the gene pool adequately in Chinese Taipei.  Protocols on conserving livestock germplasm in Chinese Taipei are as follows:

－standards set up for visible characteristics of conserved breeds

－collection of native animals from small farmers

－selection of the place of conservation

－propagation using a small population at random; if animals have economic traits for improving production performance of exotic breeds, the intercrossing program is used

－data collection on their growth, reproduction, living habits, and genetic polymorphism

－preservation of germ cells with emphasis at sperm and embryo cryopreservation

－information exchange and providing for public needs

－typical animals after propagation with benefits of cooperative germplasm research are released to the private sector

－promotion of public extension and education with intellectual property rights for this germplasm relative to arts and culture

－sharing the world’s genetic diversity and turning potential into reality

 

Progress and Current Status

In Chinese Taipei, conservation of genetic resources is achieved by maintaining live breeding stocks or cryopreserved semen, ova, eggs and embryos as well as DNA.

1. Maintaining Live Populations:

With financial support from the government, small living populations of native farm animals are conserved in TLRI and experimental farms of universities.  Also, the Jomalie Farm of the Farmers’ Cooperation at Tainan County keep some of the native breeds and are financially supported by the public, who pay to enter.  Breeds and number of animals maintained at conservation locations in 1998 are shown in Table 1.  Numbers of breeding stocks in conserved populations and associated effective population sizes as well as estimated inbreeding coefficients are in Table 2.  Results based from survey data conducted in August 1993 and July 1998, respectively, were shown in Table 3, which indicated the total number of native farm animals conserved by conservation farms were about 1.1% and 4.0％of those raised by private farmers in the corresponding years.  However, both total numbers of the animals preserved in private and conservation farms are decreased in 1998, which account for around 15.0% and 59.4% of livestock conserved at private and conservation farms, respectively, in 1993.  Conservation per se is not a priority unless there is some economic benefit associated with such actions.  The power of the market place indicates that genetic conservation at the private sector level will be successful only if incentives for producers exist.  Native breeds in Chinese Taipei are usually being maintained as a hedge for potential shifts in market demands.  However, these livestock will be subject to elimination if there seems to be no perceived economic advantage for the animals in a short period of time.

2. Cryopreservation of genetic resources:

Cryopreservation of semen, ova, eggs and embryos as well as DNA from native breeds was conducted to preserve the variance of genetic resources in Chinese Taipei, because of the limitations of animal-raising facilities and financial support.  The quantity of Thus the freezing techniques for semen of yellow cattle, black goat, pigs, native chicken, Tsaiya ducks, and Chinese geese were developed and applied in field tests to check the survivability of thawed sperm.  Embryos of yellow cattle, black goat, Lanyu pig, and Taoyuan pig were frozen in liquid nitrogen.  Embryo mortality was tested after thawing by transfer into surrogate mothers.  This met with no success in several trials.  But when fresh embryos were transferred directly, nine Lanyu piglets and one Taiwan Black goat kid were born alive in 1991.

3. Identification of genotypes:

In order to establish a molecular-based data bank for animal genetic resources monitoring and exchanging, blood typing was conducted for conserved animals.  Results obtained from GPI (glucose phosphate isomerase) and PGD (phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) test indicated that most of individuals conserved in population were homozygous.  Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is maternally inherited by random segregation through the egg cytoplasm and can be used to trace back their maternal genealogy.  It is also thought to be one potential source of genetic variation for phenotypic characteristics of animals.  The polymorphism of mtDNA among some of the native and exotic livestock breeds in Chinese Taipei were analyzed.  The cleavage patterns of Hind III, EcoR V, and Bgl II are listed in Table 5.  For further use in germplasm conservation, a detail sequence and organization of mtDNA should be carried out.  It should be related to their maternal characteristics in order to trace back their origin.

4. Documentation and related publications entitled as follows:

(1)“Handbook of Germplasm Preservation and Utilization in Animal Science－Taiwan” published in 1990.

(2)“Catalogue of the Native Poultry of Southeast Asia” published in 1991.

(3)“Genetic Resources Information of Native Livestock and Poultry Breeds in Taiwan” published in 1992.

(4)“Conservation and Genetic Relevance of Domestic Livestock and Poultry in Taiwan” published in 1993.

(5)“Genetic Lineage of Conserved Livestock and Poultry in Taiwan” published in 1996.

5. Communication and exchanging information:

Mass communication of genetic resources information for native breeds is one of the main tasks in the nation-wide project.  It can provide bilateral information exchange between public and private initiatives of animal genetic resources conservation, and thus benefit to economic, scientific, and sociocultural aspects.  Therefore, both videotapes and compact disc were produced for public as requested.  Information network was set up to provide timely information for global user.

(1)  A series of six videotapes with “Animal Fire” entitled was produced in 1993, which aimed to introduce the cultural and artistic roles of pig, cattle, goat, chicken, duck and goose in the China humanities, therefore, the social values on this aspect would be enlarged in public.  In addition to Chinese version, Taiwanese, Guochia (one of dialects in China), English and Japanese as well as Spanish versions are currently available for requested.

(2) Scientific videotape series（including both “Native Livestock” and “Native Poultry” parts）entitled “Germplasm Utilization Series－Animal Conservation” produced in 1994.

(3) Compact disc entitled “Motion Information on Germplasm of Domestic Animals：Taiwan Breeds” produced in 1994.

(4) The Bulletin Board Station (BBS) with IP address being cc.tlri.gov.tw was initiated in 1995 to provide bilateral communication site on germplasm related information for all interested individuals and organizations.

(5) In 1997, a Home Page on Internet provides timely and detailed information on inventories of native farm animal genetic resources and conservation issues so that user world-wide can obtain up-to-date information.  This can be accessed at URL: http://www.angrin.tlri.gov.tw

 

Future Objectives and Potential Action Plans:

The major objectives in the near future are:

1.  to establish a molecular-based data bank for animal genetic diversity monitoring and exchanging,

2.  to strengthen human resource development and promote the efficiency of information exchange in animal genetic resources.

 

In order to attain the above goals, the following action plans are proposed:

1.  Establishment of the Genetic Resources Information Network Stations (GRINS): An information network of county-based should be developed for users across the country.  Also, national programs for surveying and monitoring population size of animals as well as reducing the loss of domestic diversity are essential for the utilization of native domestic animals.

2.  Strengthening of science and technology training: More emphasis should be given to training programs relevant to the science and technology in germplasm preservation and utilization as well as the identification of genetic variation.  Human resource could thus be developed, and hence the establishment of genebank could be accomplished.

3.  Establishment of cryopreservation facilities for animal germ cells: The freezing techniques can be applied to preserve eggs, sperms and embryos, which might be, used both for genetic characteristic study and animal diversity analysis.  In addition, the DNA preservation technique can be also used for germplasm conservation.

 

 

 

 

Table 1. Native breeds and population size maintained at conservation locations in 1998

Location	Breeds	Male	Female
TLRI1 headquarters	Taoyuan pig	38	63
TLRI Ilan Branch Institute	Brown Tsaiya duck	34	108
	White Tsaiya duck	38	118
	Black Muscovy duck	38	114
TLRI Hualien BAPS2	Formosan buffalo	19	61
	Formosan goat	22	103
TLRI Changhwa BAPS	Brown Chinese goose	26	78
	White Chinese goose	21	77
TLRI Taitung BAPS	Lanyu pig	47	72
TLRI Kaohsiung BAPS	Formosan Sika deer	12	25
	Formosan Sambar deer	28	19
TLRI Hengchung Branch Institute	Taiwan Yellow cattle	43	166
	Formosan goat	50	131
Natl. Taiwan Univ.	Lee-Sung pig	34	50
Natl. Chung-Hsing Univ.	Native chicken	103	252

¹TLRI=Taiwan Livestock Research Institute

²BAPS=Breeding Animal Propagation Station

 

 

Table 2. Numbers of native breeding stocks conserved and associated effective population sizes and estimated inbreeding coefficients in 1998

Breed	Breeding stocks		Effective population size	Inbreeding coefficient (Estimated, %)
	Male	Female
Taoyuan pig	10	35	31.1	1.61
Lanyu pig	9	35	28.6	1.75
Lee-Sung pig	10	20	26.7	1.88
Formosan buffalo	3	42	11.2	4.46
Taiwan Yellow cattle	16	108	55.7	0.90
Formosan goat(1)	3	50	11.3	4.42
Formosan goat(2)	7	55	24.8	2.01
Formosan Sika Deer	9	11	19.8	2.53
Formosan Sambar Deer	18	10	25.7	1.94
Native chicken	128	265	－	－
Brown Tsaiya duck	34	108	103.4	0.48
White Tsaiya duck	38	118	115.0	0.43
Black Muscovy duck	38	114	114.0	0.44
Brown Chinese goose	7	27	22.2	2.25
White Chinese goose	5	25	16.7	3.00

⁽¹⁾Animals conserved at TLRI Hualien BAPS

⁽²⁾Animals conserved at TLRI Hengchung Branch Institute
Table 3. Numbers of native breeding stocks in Chinese Taipei

Breed	Private farm							Conservation farm
	Male			Female				Male					Female
	1993	1998		1993	1998			1993		1998	1993			1998
Pig
Taoyuan pig	22	35	1678		2734		10			10		30			35
Lanyu pig	67	68	126		138		15			9		45			35
Lee-Sung pig	0	0	0		0		15			10		30			20
Cattle
Formosan buffalo	166	212	997		820		2		3			30			42
Taiwan yellow	1540	145	1925		222		11		16			70			108
Goat
Formosan goat	1051	108	4045		877		9		10			90			105
Deer
Formosan Sika	990	355	919		523		16		9			25			11
Formosan Sambar	1193	921	1049		951		9		18			13			10
Chicken
Single comb	1944	1218	53579		2719		200		88			800		180
Pea comb	3110	716	72721		2037		35		40			100		85
Duck
Brown Tsaiya	1506	206	34115		3073		80		34			200		108
Black Muscovy	2165	460	9413		1863		70		38			70		114
Goose
Brown Chinese	398	788	1185		2478		40		7			120		27
White Chinese	611	1328	3976		4992		40		5			120		25
Total	14763	6560	185728		23427		552		297			1743		905

 

 

Table 4. Cryopreservation of genetic resources for native breeds in Chinese Taipei

Breed	Semen	Ova	Embryo	Egg	DNA
Taoyuan pig	0	0	0	－	63
Lanyu pig	0	30	30	－	78
Lee-Sung pig	0	0	0	－	63
Formosan buffalo	400	0	0	－	61
Taiwan yellow cattle	122	0	43	－	110
Formosan goat	1530	87	0	－	12
Formosan Sambar deer	0	0	0	－	5
Native chicken	0	0	0	0	67
Brown Tsaiya duck	0	0	0	160	16
Black Muscovy duck	0	0	0	100	7
Brown Chinese goose	0	0	0	0	103
White Chinese goose	0	0	0	0	102

 

 

 

Table 5. Mitochondrial DNA fragments of several native and exotic breeds in Chinese Taipei

Breed	Number of fragments			Size of mtDNA estimated (kb)
	Hind III	EcoR V	Bgl II
Taoyuan or Yorkshire pig	4	1	1	16.35
Lanyu pig	4	1	2	16.35
Landrace or Duroc pig	4	1	3	16.35
Formosan buffalo	3	1	0	16.80
Formosan goat	3	1	3	16.40
Barbados Black-belly sheep	1	1	1	16.40
New Zealand White rabbit	7	1	2	17.20
Rex rabbit	7	1	2	17.20
Brown Tsaiya duck	4	－	0	16.60

Conservation and Utilization of Farm Animal and Aquatic Genetic Resources in Chinese Taipei：Part II. Aquatic Organisms

Chung-Zen Shyu, Chinese Taipei

 

 

Chinese Taipei, as an island country surrounded by subtropical ocean, is abundant in marine organisms. There are also abundant freshwater species. A landlocked salmon species, Oncorhynchus masou formosanus, is especially well-known. On the other hand, aquacultural technologies in Chinese Taipei are advanced. Many exotic species are introduced from all over the world. However, owing to overfishing, illegal fishing by chemicals and explosives, pollution of the sea and rivers, deterioration of inhabitants and invasion of exotic species, resources of indigenous aquatic organisms are depleted. Some are even reach distinction. Works of conservation and recovery are urgently in need. It is only when the species and population are surveyed, collected, identified, protected, and the gcrtnplasm banks for aquatic organism are established, conservation and recovery are possible.

For the purpose of establishing germplasm bank for aquatic organism, a project, funded by Council of Agriculture, was conducted for investigating the genetic resources of aquatic organism in Chinese Taipei by Academia Sinica, National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Ocean University and Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute. The project includes freshwater and seawater organisms, that are served as germplasm in Chinese Taipei, such as finfish, crustacea, macroalgae, microalgae. The results of the survey showed that most of the conservation of genetic resources are of ex situ conservation of finfish broodstock, microalgae as feed and cryoperservation of sperms, by private farm or public institution for aquaculture purpose. A few microalgae species are conserved of research on toxicology or marine ecology. Several cases of in situ conservation are practiced such as land-lock salmon and their habitates in upstream' of central Taiwan, coral reefs and aquatic organisms in Kenting National Park in southern Taiwan, etc.

However, governmental policy and institution for conservation of genetic resources of aquatic organism so far is not well established. Researches are scattered. A centralized germplasm bank is needed for a subtropical area like Chinese Taipei, with great diversity of aquatic species for the purpose of conservation and aquacultural application. A project for founding a national aquatic germplasm bank in Taiwan Fisheries Research Institute was well planned and will soon be under construction. It is hoped that this germplasm bank will not only play the role as central institution for conservation and utilization of genetic resources of aquatic organism in Chinese Taipei, but also serve as windows for international exchange of information and germplasm of aquatic organisms for mutual benefit.

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