Equine Native Breed Conservation
Preserve & conserve rare breed equines via skin sample preservation
Equine Native Breed Conservation
Preserve & conserve rare breed equines via skin sample preservation
Equine Rare & Native Breed Preservation at Gemini Genetics
Critically Endangered Suffolk Punch Horse
Skin sample preservation could prove vital to breed survival
The UK is home to over 14 native horse and pony breeds. Of these, 12 are considered rare with 5 listed as critically endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
Part of our UK history and heritage, these breeds have also evolved from our UK landscape and are therefore uniquely adapted to regional environments. These traits could prove vital & highly beneficial in a world of changing climates, increased weather extremes and reduced environmental resources for domestic animals.
Origin of UK Native Horse Breeds
Their unique genetics could prove vital for the future
Critically endangered Suffolk Punch Horse
The UK is home to over 14 native horse and pony breeds. Of these, 12 are considered rare with 5 listed as critically endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
Part of our UK history and heritage, these breeds have also evolved from our UK landscape and are therefore uniquely adapted to regional environments. These traits could prove vital & highly beneficial in a world of changing climates, increased weather extremes and reduced environmental resources for domestic animals.
Rare Breed Preservation at Gemini Genetics
The Power Of Skin Samples
At Gemini Genetics, we are assisting with the preservation of UK rare and native breed equines, via promotion of skin sample genetic preservation. Benefits of skin sample preservation for conservation include;
Inclusion of all genders
As its a non reproductive cell, all genders and age ranges can be genetically preserved, allowing the genetics of mares and geldings to be captured as equally as stallions.
Capture of the whole genetic profile of the donor animal
Unlike gametes (sperm and eggs) which contain only 50% of the DNA of the donor animal, skin samples contain 100% of the genetic profile of the donor.
Infinite genetic resource
DNA within skin samples can be cultured to increase the genetic resource available for the donor animal. This is different to semen stocks, which reduce upon use. By contract, the cells within skin samples can be increased upon use, making skin an infinite resource for conservation.
Skin Samples & Animal Conservation at Gemini Genetics
Once a skin sample has been cryogenically preserved, several applications exist for its use in animal conservation. The most direct application of our service is the reawakening of preserved DNA for animal regeneration. A ‘living’ gene bank to bring back a population in the future. Or to regenerate and reintroduce individuals to assist in their conservation and prevent species/ breed loss. This type of animal regeneration using skin is known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, or cloning as more commonly known.
Loss of rare breed genetics & survival threat
Through population challenge e.g. inbreeding or disease
Animal Conservation
The application of genetic replication for conservation is to allow for the re-introduction of lost genetics and genetic diversity, to assist with breed survival and fitness, without the need for outbreeding or cross breeding. In the event of a breed/ species genetic narrowing, preserved skin samples can be analysed and individuals least genetically related to the current living population can be selected for genetic replication, to bring back much needed genetic diversity to the living population.
A further future use of preserved skin samples is via induced pluripotent stem cell technology. Here, skin cells are reprogrammed to generate sperm and egg cells. This would allow the creation of new population individuals & new genetic sets from the preserved skin cell DNA. This technology is at present most developed in mice species but is subject to significant research and development and holds much promise for the future for animal conservation breeding.
Breed restoration through skin preservation
Recovery of lost genetics & improved survival
How To Start Skin Cell Preservation For Breed Conservation
Samples for genetic preservation can be taken from a live equine upon veterinary discretion and from postmortem animals.
Following sample taking or passing of the animal, the samples need to arrive at our facility within 5 days.
Equines must also have health tests completed alongside the skin sample taking.
For full instructions, please consult the below documents
Equine Rare Breed Preservation Brochure
Equine Health Testing Schedule
Please contact Gemini Genetics ahead of sample taking to ensure the correct procedure is being followed.
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Visitor testimonial
It will be a testament to Gemini Genetics and other groups working in this space, when future generations look back and thank the forethinking of this generation, for preserving resources in this way.
Lucy Morgan, Manager Gemini Genetics
For many of our native breed equines, we need to be acting now, to safeguard what is available to us today, to ensure they have a sustainable and adaptable future. Semen preservation must continue but alongside this, we also need skin, to allow for whole genetic profile capture and for the preservation of mares and geldings.
Dr Tullis Matson (FRAgS)
Skin sample genetic preservation is the must have tool for rare breed conservation across the board, whether that be for equines, livestock or wild and endangered animals. Preserved skin samples really do hold the future for breed and species conservation, preserving whole genetics and in an infinite resource format.