[The conservation of the genetic resources of deer (Cervidae) by the cryopreservation of their germ cells].

Necessity of organization of a cryobank for the sperm of some taxa has been substantiated on the basis of the published data and authors' results concerning the state of genetic resources of the family Cervidae in Russia. A task has also been set to elucidate some factors that may affect the success of cryoconservation, such as the age of male donors; season; duration of sperm storage before and after freezing, including long-term storage; and the possibility of obtaining of sperm from perished males. Results are provided on the influence of these factors of the quality of spermatozoa obtained on three species of the Cervidae.