Multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the conservation value of breeds Juha Kantanen NordGen

Distinct values of breeds Value category Values, functions Description Ecological Genetic diversity Adaptation to local ecosystem Material for breeding Preservation of genetically unique breeds Economic Products Services Milk, meat, hide, manure, transport Material for breeding and crossbreeding

Value category Values, functions Description Social Social security Social inclusion Social interaction Gender relations Savings, education Working possibilities, jobs Co-operation in animal keeping, exchange of food and services Production and reproduction of work share Political Regional policy Asset for strategic negotation Keeping the northern villages settled

Value category Values, functions Description Cultural Identity Sense of place Scientific Educational Ethnic identity Regional identity Research on the genetic diversity and origins Transferring the cultural values/capital Ethical Moral responsibility Preservation of the breed for the future generations, learning the feeling of responsibility

How to measure different values and rank the breeds? Sustainable Livelihoods approach: A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or erhance its capabilities and assets and provide sustainable opportunities for the next generation. Financial, social, cultural and ecological dimensions Genetic analysis: To estimate with DNA analysis the value in the biodiversity conservation

Genetic value of a breed as examined by DNA-analysis A peculiar domestication history Backcrossing of a domesticated population with the ancestral wild species Breed-specific mutations, alleles, exceptional gene combinations ja haplotypes Importance for genetic diversity of species

A peculiar domestication history Revealing the History of Sheep Domestication Using Retrovirus Integrations (Chessa et al. 2009. Science 324, 5926: 532-536.) Endogenous retroviruses = retroviruses derived from ancient viral infections of germ cells, passed on to the next generation and remain in the genome.

Diversity Hot Spot in domestic sheep Tapio M. et al. Unpublished results

To measure genetic diversity using kinship coefficients estimated from DNA marker data FAO recommendation list of microsateliite markers GD = λGDw + GDb GD = total genetic diversity GDW = within-population diversity averaged across n populations λ = the weight given to GDW GDb= between-population diversity

Eurasian sheep breeds by Tapio M et al. unpublished results

Conclusions Thank You! A breed valuation is a complex issue Adaptation to local conditions Epigenetical factors Thank You!