CRYOCHICK · Innovative cryopreservation methods for chicken germplasm

Poultry products are the most consumed source of animal protein globally. To enable current and future poultry genetic improvement towards climate adaptation and sustainable farming practices to meet future nutritional demands, it is essential to maintain and make available the existing genetic diversity within and between the breeds. Gene banks can assist in conserving genetic diversity and reintroduction and implementation of important traits or genetic variants into poultry lines. The main goal of CRYOCHICK is to develop effective cryopreservation methods for ex-situ conservation of male and female chicken germplasm. Existing strategies and methods for gene banking of chicken reproductive material are not adequate for several reasons such as poor fertility rate of cryopreserved semen, the contraceptive effect in hen of glycerol (the most effective sperm cryoprotectant), the current impossible cryopreservation of chicken oocytes due to its telolecithal structure, while semen alone does not capture genes of mitochondria and the W sex-chromosome. Therefore, new effective cryopreservation methods for both male and female chicken germplasms, as well as new strategies for maintaining and using the stored cryopreserved materials for cost-effective gene banking are required. The methods and strategies developed will likely also benefit other poultry species and conservation of wild relatives. CRYOCHICK comprises a high level training program for Dr. Bernal and different coordinated actions performed by prestigious institutes from different countries and research fields promoting international collaboration, interdisciplinarity and transfer of top knowledge to the private sector. The European competitiveness will be reinforced by addressing, with the highest level of knowledge, important global scientific and societal concerns such as maintenance of biodiversity and food security, both serious threatened by climate change.