Successful cryopreservation and regeneration of a partridge colored Hungarian native chicken breed using primordial germ cells.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of germline cells that generate sperm and ova in adults. Thus, they are promising tools for gene editing and genetic preservation, especially in avian species. In this study, we established stable male and female PGC lines from 6Hungarian indigenous chicken breeds with derivation rates ranging from 37.

Gene conservation of six Hungarian local chicken breeds maintained in small populations over time.

Investigation into the genetic diversity of certain endangered native breeds of domestic animals has been in common practice for several decades. The primary objective of these investigations has been to reveal the exceptional genetic value of such breeds, both for their conservation and also to gain insight into their current genetic status, as they have been undergoing a progressive decrease in population size and general diversity; this has been compounded by the general lack of an optimal breeding scheme. In this study, we have investigated changes in the genetic diversity of six Hungarian local chicken breeds based on 29 microsatellite loci over a period of 15 years.

Investigation of the Guinea fowl and domestic fowl hybrids as potential surrogate hosts for avian cryopreservation programmes.

In the last decade, avian gene preservation research has focused on the use of the early precursors of the reproductive cells, the primordial germ cells (PGCs). This is because avian PGCs have a unique migration route through the vascular system which offers easy accessibility. Furthermore, culturing of the cells in vitro, freezing/thawing, reintegration into a recipient embryo and the development of the germ cells can be carried out in well-defined laboratory circumstances.

Successful chimera production in the Hungarian goose (Anser anser domestica) by intracardiac injection of blastodermal cells in 3-day-old embryos.

The conservation of genetic resources of avian species has become increasingly important over the past decade. The aim of the present study was to develop a genome preservation technique for the Hungarian goose Anser anser domestica. To this end, we developed a novel approach combining the simplicity of isolating a blastodermal cell suspension, which includes forming primordial germ cells (PGCs), with the efficiency of targeting future gonads by injecting these cells into the cardiac vein of the developing host embryo.

Vitrification of early avian blastodermal cells with a new type of cryocontainer.

Although cryopreservation of avian semen is only applicable for singlegene traits, cryopreservation of avian blastodermal cells could facilitate preservation of the entire genome of endangered or rare-breed poultry. Slow freezing methods result in acceptable survival rates; however, there are apparently no reports regarding the use of vitrification. The aim of the study was to establish methods for chicken embryonic cell vitrification, including development of a container which supported cryopreservation of large numbers of cells (to increase the probability of chimera production).