Conservation of Native Livestock Breeds in Russia: Current State and Promising Prospects

This review summarizes and analyzes the current status and trends in conservation of agricultural AnGR in Russia. The biodiversity of farm animal species in Russia is significant and is represented by 507 breeds, including 236 aboriginal ones. Based on a summary of global experience in maintaining genetic material of various types, we describe here strategies for preserving native breeds in Russia. Genetic monitoring using modern technologies improves the relevance of biological collections and enables the selection of the most typical and valuable representatives of AnGR for cryopreservation. The National Center for AnGR has developed a key conservation strategy based on the integrated use of genetic and assisted reproductive technologies. This strategy has been successfully implemented in a few cattle and goat breeds. In 2025, genetic monitoring of AnGR reproduced in vivo and preserved in vitro began. These studies and practical measures in Russia play an important role in preserving the genetic diversity of native AnGR in a changing climate to ensure food security for current and future generations. Thus, owing to the joint efforts of research teams and state financial support, a positive trend has emerged in cryopreservation programs and the preservation of living bioresource collections in Russia.