ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES CANADA

 

Dr Carl Lessard, Curator

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Government of Canada

Email: [email protected]

Ph: 306-956-7221

Work Cell: 306-291-7872

AnGRC is a joint initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), to preserve the genetic diversity of Canadian livestock and poultry breeds, and to develop new techniques to conserve germplasm.

Objectives

To ensure the genetic diversity of Canadian livestock and poultry, support environmentally friendly livestock and poultry production, and maintain food security, by acquiring, evaluating, and cryopreserving tissue and germplasm (sperm cells and embryos).

Key Mandates

Acquire, maintain, and distribute genetic resources.

Characterize, evaluate, and analyze genetic diversity

Develop indicators of change in domestic animal genetic diversity.

Perform research on biology of gametes and embryos.

Develop new techniques for conservation of genetic resources.

Program Delivery

Promotion:

AnGRC promotes animal and poultry genetic resource conservation and integrates Canadian conservation activities with those at the global level, in particular with the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, led by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Germplasm and Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) Preservation:

AnGRC cryopreserves semen, ova, embryos (germplasm), and DNA of domestic livestock and poultry to estimate genetic diversity and to allow conservation if needed. "For conserving valuable Canadian poultry genetics, AnGRC is using vitrification, a new tissue preservation technique". AnGRC can receive frozen germplasm or members of the AnGRC group can visit a farm to collect Canadian animal resources.

Research:

Research efforts focus on developing capacity and strategy for conservation of animal and poultry genetic resources. AnGRC also works to improve current methods and develop new techniques for the conservation of all domestic livestock species. Tissue/feathers/hairs donated to AnGRC may be used to extract DNA for use in genetic diversity studies and to develop methods to help identify breeds.

 

Data Management:

The AnGRC is currently being finalized a database that will contain physical and phenotypic data corresponding germplasm maintained at the center. It will be connected to an international animal genetic resource database (Canada-Brazil, USA), including links to breed registries, participating industry representatives, producer groups and cooperating farm animal conservation initiatives.

Industry Liaison and Education:

Co-operation, collaboration, and donations are required to preserve animal and poultry genetic resources. AnGRC collaborates with the Canadian livestock and poultry industries, Provincial and Federal governments, and international stakeholders to study and conserve domestic livestock and poultry genetic resources. Education and training of highly qualified young Canadian scientists are central to and students and visiting scientists are welcome.

AnGRC relies on donations of germplasm and DNA from the livestock and poultry industries, veterinarians, animal breeders and producers, as well as Canadian universities and conservation agencies. If you wish to participate and contribute to the conservation of Canada’s animal genetic resources, please do not hesitate to contact, Dr. Carl Lessard, (306) 956-7221, or email: [email protected]. Your support is important and appreciated. Without your support, it will not be possible to preserve our precious Canadian animal resources. Looking forward to hear from you!

Contact Information

Dr. Carl Lessard,

Curator of Canadian Animal Genetic Resources

National Coordinator of Animal Genetic Resources of Canada

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 1-306-956-7221

Dr. Anissa Lybaert,

Associate Director of Biodiversity and Collections

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 1-613-759-1253

TDD/TTY: 613-773-2600

 

http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/?id=1297780434818