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Prof. Gustavo Gandini
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

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0 Biodiversity conservation
0 Animal Ethics
0 animal genetics
0 Farm animal genetic resources
0 Urban wildlife

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Journal article
Published: 02 May 2021 in Animals
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At the end of the last glaciation, Apis mellifera was established in northern Europe. In Italy, Apis mellifera ligustica adapted to the mild climate and to the rich floristic biodiversity. Today, with the spread of Varroa destructor and with the increasing use of pesticides in agriculture, the Ligustica subspecies is increasingly dependent on human action for its survival. In addition, the effects of globalization of bee keeping favored the spread in Italy of other honeybee stocks of A. mellifera, in particular the Buckfast bee. The purpose of this study was to characterize the Italian honeybee’s population by sequencing the whole genome of 124 honeybees. Whole genome sequencing was performed by Illumina technology, obtaining a total coverage of 3720.89X, with a mean sample coverage of 29.77X. A total of 4,380,004 SNP variants, mapping on Amel_HAv3.1 chromosomes, were detected. Results of the analysis of the patterns of genetic variation allowed us to identify and subgroup bees according to their type. The investigation revealed the genetic originality of the Sicula, and in A.m. ligustica limited genetic introgression from the other breeds. Morphometric analysis of 5800 worker bees was in agreement with genomic data.

ACS Style

Giulietta Minozzi; Barbara Lazzari; Maria De Iorio; Cecilia Costa; Emanuele Carpana; Paola Crepaldi; Rita Rizzi; Elena Facchini; Gustavo Gandini; Alessandra Stella; Giulio Pagnacco. Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis of Italian Honeybees (Apis mellifera). Animals 2021, 11, 1311 .

AMA Style

Giulietta Minozzi, Barbara Lazzari, Maria De Iorio, Cecilia Costa, Emanuele Carpana, Paola Crepaldi, Rita Rizzi, Elena Facchini, Gustavo Gandini, Alessandra Stella, Giulio Pagnacco. Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis of Italian Honeybees (Apis mellifera). Animals. 2021; 11 (5):1311.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giulietta Minozzi; Barbara Lazzari; Maria De Iorio; Cecilia Costa; Emanuele Carpana; Paola Crepaldi; Rita Rizzi; Elena Facchini; Gustavo Gandini; Alessandra Stella; Giulio Pagnacco. 2021. "Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis of Italian Honeybees (Apis mellifera)." Animals 11, no. 5: 1311.

Communication
Published: 05 February 2021 in Sustainability
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In situ conservation of local breeds requires populations in economically sustainable and resilient production systems. In those countries where the market recognizes the quality of the products of local breeds, the traditional relationship between local breeds and products can be used to improve breed profitability. We analyze sales data from year 2020 of five dairy products associated with endangered local breeds farmed in northern Italy, in order to understand the potential resilience of these production systems, in terms of ability to persist and to adapt to disturbances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. All breed-cheese systems showed good capacity to persist during the COVID-19 pandemic, with four systems even increasing sales with respect to the period 2017–2019. Three breed-cheese systems showed rapid adaptation to the new conditions by modifying sales channels, including the introduction of e-commerce.

ACS Style

Federica Turri; Flavia Pizzi; Gustavo Gandini. Learning Resilience in Local Livestock Breeds from COVID-19 Pandemic. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1715 .

AMA Style

Federica Turri, Flavia Pizzi, Gustavo Gandini. Learning Resilience in Local Livestock Breeds from COVID-19 Pandemic. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (4):1715.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Federica Turri; Flavia Pizzi; Gustavo Gandini. 2021. "Learning Resilience in Local Livestock Breeds from COVID-19 Pandemic." Sustainability 13, no. 4: 1715.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2021 in Animal Frontiers
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Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic is deeply affecting human health and is causing a severe worldwide economic and social crisis. The real dimensions of the impacts are yet to be determined and will differ among geographical areas and economic sectors, including agriculture and animal production. Effects are expected to be higher in poorer and more vulnerable countries and population strata.

ACS Style

Gustavo Gandini; Sipke Joost Hiemstra. Farm animal genetic resources and the COVID-19 pandemic. Animal Frontiers 2021, 11, 54 -56.

AMA Style

Gustavo Gandini, Sipke Joost Hiemstra. Farm animal genetic resources and the COVID-19 pandemic. Animal Frontiers. 2021; 11 (1):54-56.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gustavo Gandini; Sipke Joost Hiemstra. 2021. "Farm animal genetic resources and the COVID-19 pandemic." Animal Frontiers 11, no. 1: 54-56.

Journal article
Published: 05 February 2020 in Animals
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Paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease (JD) in cattle is a chronic granulomatous gastroenteritis caused by infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). JD is not treatable; therefore, the early identification of infected animals is a key point in reducing its incidence worldwide. In this paper, combinatorial discriminant analysis was applied to transcriptomic data to find a small set of differentially expressed genes able to discriminate between exposed cattle from non-exposed animals. Results of the discriminant analysis identified 10 transcripts that differentiate between ELISA-negative animals belonging to paratuberculosis-positive herds that were potentially exposed to MAP and negative-unexposed animals belonging to paratuberculosis-negative herds. The 10 transcript signature was also used for the classification of 5 cattle positive-for-MAP infection samples, with the underlying hypothesis that their transcriptional profile should be closer to potentially exposed animals than to controls. The same set of 10 transcripts was able to differentiate ELISA-negative unexposed animals from positive animals based on the results of the ELISA test for bovine paratuberculosis and faecal culture. In conclusion, these findings suggest the possible use of the identified RNA expression signature as a new diagnostic test for paratuberculosis. Paratuberculosis or Johne’s disease in cattle is a chronic granulomatous gastroenteritis caused by infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Paratuberculosis is not treatable; therefore, the early identification and isolation of infected animals is a key point to reduce its incidence. In this paper, we analyse RNAseq experimental data of 5 ELISA-negative cattle exposed to MAP in a positive herd, compared to 5 negative-unexposed controls. The purpose was to find a small set of differentially expressed genes able to discriminate between exposed animals in a preclinical phase from non-exposed controls. Our results identified 10 transcripts that differentiate between ELISA-negative, clinically healthy, and exposed animals belonging to paratuberculosis-positive herds and negative-unexposed animals. Of the 10 transcripts, five (TRPV4, RIC8B, IL5RA, ERF, CDC40) showed significant differential expression between the three groups while the remaining 5 (RDM1, EPHX1, STAU1, TLE1, ASB8) did not show a significant difference in at least one of the pairwise comparisons. When tested in a larger cohort, these findings may contribute to the development of a new diagnostic test for paratuberculosis based on a gene expression signature. Such a diagnostic tool could allow early interventions to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.

ACS Style

Michela Malvisi; Nico Curti; Daniel Remondini; Maria Grazia De Iorio; Fiorentina Palazzo; Gustavo Gandini; Silvia Vitali; Michele Polli; John L. Williams; Giulietta Minozzi. Combinatorial Discriminant Analysis Applied to RNAseq Data Reveals a Set of 10 Transcripts as Signatures of Exposure of Cattle to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Animals 2020, 10, 253 .

AMA Style

Michela Malvisi, Nico Curti, Daniel Remondini, Maria Grazia De Iorio, Fiorentina Palazzo, Gustavo Gandini, Silvia Vitali, Michele Polli, John L. Williams, Giulietta Minozzi. Combinatorial Discriminant Analysis Applied to RNAseq Data Reveals a Set of 10 Transcripts as Signatures of Exposure of Cattle to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Animals. 2020; 10 (2):253.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michela Malvisi; Nico Curti; Daniel Remondini; Maria Grazia De Iorio; Fiorentina Palazzo; Gustavo Gandini; Silvia Vitali; Michele Polli; John L. Williams; Giulietta Minozzi. 2020. "Combinatorial Discriminant Analysis Applied to RNAseq Data Reveals a Set of 10 Transcripts as Signatures of Exposure of Cattle to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis." Animals 10, no. 2: 253.

Original article
Published: 26 August 2018 in Molecular Ecology
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Biological diversities of multiple kingdoms potentially respond in similar ways to environmental changes. However, studies either compare details of microbial diversity across general vegetation or land use classes or relate details of plant community diversity with the extent of microbially governed soil processes, via physiological profiling. Here, we test the hypothesis of shared responses of plant and rhizosphere bacterial, fungal and metazoan biodiversities (especially across‐habitat β‐diversity patterns) along a disturbance gradient encompassing grazed to abandoned Alpine pasture, on acid soil in the European Central Alps. Rhizosphere biological diversity was inferred from eDNA fractions specific to bacteria, fungi and metazoans from contrasting plant habitats indicative of different disturbance levels. We found that soil β‐diversity patterns were weakly correlated with plant diversity measures and similarly ordinated along an evident edaphic (pH, C:N, assimilable P) and disturbance gradient but, contrary to our hypothesis, did not demonstrate the same diversity patterns. While plant communities were well separated along the disturbance gradient, correlating with fungal diversity, the majority of bacterial taxa were shared between disturbance levels (75% of bacteria were ubiquitous, cf. 29% plant species). Metazoa exhibited an intermediate response, with communities at the lowest levels of disturbance partially overlapping. Thus, plant and soil biological diversities were only loosely dependent and did not exhibit strictly linked environmental responses. This probably reflects the different spatial scales of organisms (and their habitats) and capacity to invest resources in persistent multicellular tissues, suggesting that vegetation responses to environmental change are unreliable indicators of below‐ground biodiversity responses.

ACS Style

Matteo Montagna; Andrea Berruti; Valeria Bianciotto; Paola Cremonesi; Riccardo Giannico; Fausto Gusmeroli; Erica Lumini; Simon Pierce; Flavia Pizzi; Federica Turri; Gustavo Gandini. Differential biodiversity responses between kingdoms (plants, fungi, bacteria and metazoa) along an Alpine succession gradient. Molecular Ecology 2018, 27, 3671 -3685.

AMA Style

Matteo Montagna, Andrea Berruti, Valeria Bianciotto, Paola Cremonesi, Riccardo Giannico, Fausto Gusmeroli, Erica Lumini, Simon Pierce, Flavia Pizzi, Federica Turri, Gustavo Gandini. Differential biodiversity responses between kingdoms (plants, fungi, bacteria and metazoa) along an Alpine succession gradient. Molecular Ecology. 2018; 27 (18):3671-3685.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matteo Montagna; Andrea Berruti; Valeria Bianciotto; Paola Cremonesi; Riccardo Giannico; Fausto Gusmeroli; Erica Lumini; Simon Pierce; Flavia Pizzi; Federica Turri; Gustavo Gandini. 2018. "Differential biodiversity responses between kingdoms (plants, fungi, bacteria and metazoa) along an Alpine succession gradient." Molecular Ecology 27, no. 18: 3671-3685.

Journal article
Published: 27 January 2017 in Italian Journal of Animal Science
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ACS Style

Gustavo Gandini; Federica Turri; Rita Maria Rizzi; Matteo Crotta; Giulietta Minozzi; Flavia Pizzi. Economic evaluation of genetic improvement in local breeds: the case of the Verzaschese goat. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2017, 16, 199 -207.

AMA Style

Gustavo Gandini, Federica Turri, Rita Maria Rizzi, Matteo Crotta, Giulietta Minozzi, Flavia Pizzi. Economic evaluation of genetic improvement in local breeds: the case of the Verzaschese goat. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2017; 16 (2):199-207.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gustavo Gandini; Federica Turri; Rita Maria Rizzi; Matteo Crotta; Giulietta Minozzi; Flavia Pizzi. 2017. "Economic evaluation of genetic improvement in local breeds: the case of the Verzaschese goat." Italian Journal of Animal Science 16, no. 2: 199-207.

Journal article
Published: 21 October 2016 in European Journal of Soil Biology
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Reliable evaluations of soil biodiversity represent a key factor in understanding ecosystem services. To date, species-discriminating barcodes efficiently describe bacterial and fungal communities associated with environmental samples, whereas investigations of soil microfauna are often hampered by the lack of a marker region encompassing the taxonomic range of soil organisms. Two new PCR primer sets targeting the V4-V5 and V5-V7 variable regions of the ribosomal 18S RNA (18S rRNA) were designed to be specific for metazoans metabarcoding and capable of detecting the majority of their lineages. In silico and in vivo assays on four soil typologies were carried out to compare the newly developed primer sets with a selection of primers targeting the homologous gene, which were previously used to assess soil metazoan biodiversity. The new primer sets, both on the basis of the in silico and in vivo comparisons, were very selective and consistent when analysing metazoan biodiversity across the tested soil typologies. On the basis of the coverage index and taxonomic resolution, the new primers targeting the ribosomal 18S RNA outperformed the other primers, and they represent a promising tool for assessing soil metazoan biodiversity through metabarcoding approaches.

ACS Style

E. Capra; R. Giannico; M. Montagna; F. Turri; P. Cremonesi; Francesco Strozzi; P. Leone; Gustavo Gandini; F. Pizzi. A new primer set for DNA metabarcoding of soil Metazoa. European Journal of Soil Biology 2016, 77, 53 -59.

AMA Style

E. Capra, R. Giannico, M. Montagna, F. Turri, P. Cremonesi, Francesco Strozzi, P. Leone, Gustavo Gandini, F. Pizzi. A new primer set for DNA metabarcoding of soil Metazoa. European Journal of Soil Biology. 2016; 77 ():53-59.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Capra; R. Giannico; M. Montagna; F. Turri; P. Cremonesi; Francesco Strozzi; P. Leone; Gustavo Gandini; F. Pizzi. 2016. "A new primer set for DNA metabarcoding of soil Metazoa." European Journal of Soil Biology 77, no. : 53-59.

Journal article
Published: 24 March 2016 in Italian Journal of Animal Science
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ACS Style

Flavia Pizzi; Federica Turri; Teresa M. Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini. Implementation and cost analysis of a regional farm animal cryobank: an Italian case study. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2016, 15, 207 -210.

AMA Style

Flavia Pizzi, Federica Turri, Teresa M. Gliozzi, Gustavo Gandini. Implementation and cost analysis of a regional farm animal cryobank: an Italian case study. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2016; 15 (2):207-210.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Flavia Pizzi; Federica Turri; Teresa M. Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini. 2016. "Implementation and cost analysis of a regional farm animal cryobank: an Italian case study." Italian Journal of Animal Science 15, no. 2: 207-210.

Journal article
Published: 19 December 2015 in Small Ruminant Research
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ACS Style

F. Turri; M. Madeddu; T.M. Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini; F. Pizzi. Relationship between body weight, sexual secondary traits and epididymal semen quality in the Alpine goat. Small Ruminant Research 2015, 135, 81 -84.

AMA Style

F. Turri, M. Madeddu, T.M. Gliozzi, Gustavo Gandini, F. Pizzi. Relationship between body weight, sexual secondary traits and epididymal semen quality in the Alpine goat. Small Ruminant Research. 2015; 135 ():81-84.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F. Turri; M. Madeddu; T.M. Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini; F. Pizzi. 2015. "Relationship between body weight, sexual secondary traits and epididymal semen quality in the Alpine goat." Small Ruminant Research 135, no. : 81-84.

Mini review article
Published: 25 February 2015 in Frontiers in Genetics
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Sufficient genetic variation in livestock populations is necessary both for adaptation to future changes in climate and consumer demand, and for continual genetic improvement of economically important traits. Unfortunately, the current trend is for reduced genetic variation, both within and across breeds. The latter occurs primarily through the loss of small, local breeds. Inferior production is a key driver for loss of small breeds, as they are replaced by high-output international transboundary breeds. Selection to improve productivity of small local breeds is therefore critical for their long term survival. The objective of this paper is to review the technology options available for the genetic improvement of small local breeds and discuss their feasibility. Most technologies have been developed for the high-input breeds and consequently are more favourably applied in that context. Nevertheless, their application in local breeds is not precluded and can yield significant benefits, especially when multiple technologies are applied in close collaboration with farmers and breeders. Breeding strategies that require cooperation and centralized decision-making, such as optimal contribution selection, may in fact be more easily implemented in small breeds.

ACS Style

Filippo Biscarini; Ezequiel L. Nicolazzi; Alessandra Stella; Paul J. Boettcher; Gustavo Gandini. Challenges and opportunities in genetic improvement of local livestock breeds. Frontiers in Genetics 2015, 6, 33 -33.

AMA Style

Filippo Biscarini, Ezequiel L. Nicolazzi, Alessandra Stella, Paul J. Boettcher, Gustavo Gandini. Challenges and opportunities in genetic improvement of local livestock breeds. Frontiers in Genetics. 2015; 6 ():33-33.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippo Biscarini; Ezequiel L. Nicolazzi; Alessandra Stella; Paul J. Boettcher; Gustavo Gandini. 2015. "Challenges and opportunities in genetic improvement of local livestock breeds." Frontiers in Genetics 6, no. : 33-33.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2014 in Small Ruminant Research
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ACS Style

Gustavo Gandini; Marcello Del Corvo; Filippo Biscarini; Alessandra Stella. Genetic improvement of small ruminant local breeds with nucleus and inbreeding control: A simulation study. Small Ruminant Research 2014, 120, 196 -203.

AMA Style

Gustavo Gandini, Marcello Del Corvo, Filippo Biscarini, Alessandra Stella. Genetic improvement of small ruminant local breeds with nucleus and inbreeding control: A simulation study. Small Ruminant Research. 2014; 120 (2-3):196-203.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gustavo Gandini; Marcello Del Corvo; Filippo Biscarini; Alessandra Stella. 2014. "Genetic improvement of small ruminant local breeds with nucleus and inbreeding control: A simulation study." Small Ruminant Research 120, no. 2-3: 196-203.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2014 in Journal of Dairy Science
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Local breeds are rarely subject to modern selection techniques; however, selection programs will be required if local breeds are to remain a viable livelihood option for farmers. Selection in small populations needs to take into account accurate inbreeding control. Optimum contribution selection (OCS) is efficient in controlling inbreeding and maximizes genetic gain. The current paper investigates genetic progress in simulated dairy cattle populations from 500 to 6,000 cows undergoing young bull selection schemes with OCS compared with truncation selection (TS) at an annual inbreeding rate of 0.003. Selection is carried out for a dairy trait with a base heritability of 0.3. A young bull selection scheme was used because of its simplicity in implementation. With TS, annual genetic gain from 0.111 standard deviation units with 500 cows increases rapidly to 0.145 standard deviation units with 4,000 cows. Then, genetic gain increases more slowly up to 6,000 cows. At the same inbreeding rate, OCS produces higher genetic progress than TS. Differences in genetic gain between OCS and TS vary from to 2 to 6.3%. Genetic gain is also improved by increasing the number of years that males can be used as sires of sires. When comparing OCS versus TS at different heritabilities, we observe an advantage of OCS only at high heritability, up to 8% with heritability of 0.9. By increasing the constraint on inbreeding, the difference of genetic gain between the 2 selection methods increases in favor of OCS, and the advantage at the inbreeding rate of 0.001 per generation is 6 times more than at the inbreeding rate of 0.003. Opportunities exist for selection even in dairy cattle populations of a few hundred females. In any case, selection in local breeds will most often require specific investments in infrastructure and manpower, including systems for accurate data recording and selection skills and the presence of artificial insemination and breeders organizations. A cost-benefit analysis is therefore advisable before considering the implementation of selection schemes in local dairy cattle breeds.

ACS Style

G. Gandini; A. Stella; M. Del Corvo; G.B. Jansen. Selection with inbreeding control in simulated young bull schemes for local dairy cattle breeds. Journal of Dairy Science 2014, 97, 1790 -1798.

AMA Style

G. Gandini, A. Stella, M. Del Corvo, G.B. Jansen. Selection with inbreeding control in simulated young bull schemes for local dairy cattle breeds. Journal of Dairy Science. 2014; 97 (3):1790-1798.

Chicago/Turabian Style

G. Gandini; A. Stella; M. Del Corvo; G.B. Jansen. 2014. "Selection with inbreeding control in simulated young bull schemes for local dairy cattle breeds." Journal of Dairy Science 97, no. 3: 1790-1798.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2014 in Animal
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The interest to develop assisted reproductive technologies and cryobanking for farm animal genetic resource conservation has recently increased. However, cryopreservation for ex-situ management of genetic diversity sometimes is not routinely feasible, owing to the lack of facilities (AI centres, laboratories) and expertise near the local breed farming area. In these cases, epididymal sperm obtained from slaughtered or castrated animals, associated with the possibility of managing rather long periods between animal death, sperm recovery and freezing, would increase the opportunities to create semen storages. This investigation addresses the pre-freeze/post-thaw quality of goat epididymal sperm as a function of testicle storage temperature (environment or +5°C) and time elapsed between animal's death and sperm recovery (0, 24, 48, 72 h) to establish the optimal protocols for the recovery and cryopreservation of epididymal sperm in this species. Testicles of 50 mature bucks collected at the abattoir were divided in two groups: half of the testicles (n=50) were transported to the laboratory at environment temperature (E), whereas the remaining half (n=50) at a refrigeration temperature (R) of +5°C. In the two groups (E) and (R), one testicle from each pair was processed after slaughter forming the time 0 groups (0E and 0R). The contralateral testicle was processed after 24, 48 or 72 h of storage, at the corresponding temperature. Sperm motility and kinetic parameters, viability and morphology were assessed in pre-freeze and post-thaw samples. Until 48 h postmortem, both E and R temperatures are able to maintain good pre-freeze epididymal sperm quality. After 48 h postmortem, R temperature is fundamental to reduce epididymal sperm quality decay in pre-freeze samples. Moreover, testicle refrigeration also has a positive impact on post-thaw samples, allowing a lower decline through time considering total motility, kinetics parameters, sperm viability and sperm abnormalities. Therefore, when sperm cryopreservation is not immediately practicable, goat testicles should be transported and stored at 5°C up to a maximum of 48 h postmortem to ensure an acceptable sperm quality.

ACS Style

F. Turri; M. Madeddu; T.M. Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini; Flavia Pizzi. Effect of testicle postmortem storage on goat frozen-thawed epididymal sperm quality as a tool to improve genebanking in local breeds. Animal 2014, 8, 440 -447.

AMA Style

F. Turri, M. Madeddu, T.M. Gliozzi, Gustavo Gandini, Flavia Pizzi. Effect of testicle postmortem storage on goat frozen-thawed epididymal sperm quality as a tool to improve genebanking in local breeds. Animal. 2014; 8 (3):440-447.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F. Turri; M. Madeddu; T.M. Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini; Flavia Pizzi. 2014. "Effect of testicle postmortem storage on goat frozen-thawed epididymal sperm quality as a tool to improve genebanking in local breeds." Animal 8, no. 3: 440-447.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2013 in Ecological Economics
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ACS Style

Kerstin Zander; Giovanni Signorello; Maria De Salvo; Gustavo Gandini; Adam G. Drucker. Assessing the total economic value of threatened livestock breeds in Italy: Implications for conservation policy. Ecological Economics 2013, 93, 219 -229.

AMA Style

Kerstin Zander, Giovanni Signorello, Maria De Salvo, Gustavo Gandini, Adam G. Drucker. Assessing the total economic value of threatened livestock breeds in Italy: Implications for conservation policy. Ecological Economics. 2013; 93 ():219-229.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kerstin Zander; Giovanni Signorello; Maria De Salvo; Gustavo Gandini; Adam G. Drucker. 2013. "Assessing the total economic value of threatened livestock breeds in Italy: Implications for conservation policy." Ecological Economics 93, no. : 219-229.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2013 in Animal
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SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is a tool widely used to help in decision making in complex systems. It suits to exploring the issues and measures related to the conservation and development of local breeds, as it allows the integration of many driving factors influencing breed dynamics. We developed a quantified SWOT method as a decision-making tool for identification and ranking of conservation and development strategies of local breeds, and applied it to a set of 13 cattle breeds of six European countries. The method has four steps: definition of the system, identification and grouping of the driving factors, quantification of the importance of driving factors and identification and prioritization of the strategies. The factors were determined following a multi-stakeholder approach and grouped with a three-level structure. Animal genetic resources expert groups ranked the factors, and a quantification process was implemented to identify and prioritize strategies. The proposed SWOT methodology allows analyzing the dynamics of local cattle breeds in a structured and systematic way. It is a flexible tool developed to assist different stakeholders in defining the strategies and actions. The quantification process allows the comparison of the driving factors and the prioritization of the strategies for the conservation and development of local cattle breeds. We identified 99 factors across the breeds. Although the situation is very heterogeneous, the future of these breeds may be promising. The most important strengths and weaknesses were related to production systems and farmers. The most important opportunities were found in marketing new products, whereas the most relevant threats were found in selling the current products. The across-breed strategies utility decreased as they gained specificity. Therefore, the strategies at European level should focus on general aspects and be flexible enough to be adapted to the country and breed specificities.

ACS Style

Daniel Martin-Collado; C. Díaz; A. Mäki-Tanila; Frederic Colinet; D. Duclos; S.J. Hiemstra; Gustavo Gandini. The use of SWOT analysis to explore and prioritize conservation and development strategies for local cattle breeds. Animal 2013, 7, 885 -894.

AMA Style

Daniel Martin-Collado, C. Díaz, A. Mäki-Tanila, Frederic Colinet, D. Duclos, S.J. Hiemstra, Gustavo Gandini. The use of SWOT analysis to explore and prioritize conservation and development strategies for local cattle breeds. Animal. 2013; 7 (6):885-894.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel Martin-Collado; C. Díaz; A. Mäki-Tanila; Frederic Colinet; D. Duclos; S.J. Hiemstra; Gustavo Gandini. 2013. "The use of SWOT analysis to explore and prioritize conservation and development strategies for local cattle breeds." Animal 7, no. 6: 885-894.

Original article
Published: 10 July 2012 in Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics
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Recognizing cultural diversity among local breed farmers is crucial for the successful development and implementation of farm animal genetic resources FAnGr conservation policies and programmes. In this study based on survey data collected in the EUropean REgional CAttle breeds project from six European countries, a typology of local breed farmers was designed and profiles for each of the farmer types were developed to assist these policy needs. Three main farmer types were constructed: production‐oriented, product and service‐oriented and hobby‐oriented farmers. In addition, seven subtypes were characterized under the main types: sustainable producers, opportunists, multi‐users, brand makers, traditionalists, pragmatists and newcomers. These types have many similarities to the ‘productivist’, ‘multifunctional’ and ‘post‐productivist’ farmer types. The typology not only reveals the high level of diversity among local cattle breed farmers in Europe, which presents an opportunity for the in situ conservation of animal genetic resources, but also a challenge for policy to meet the differing requirements of the farmer types.

ACS Style

K. Soini; C. Diaz; Gustavo Gandini; Y. De Haas; T. Lilja; D. Martín-Collado; F. Pizzi; S. J. Hiemstra; EURECA - consortium. Developing a typology for local cattle breed farmers in Europe. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 2012, 129, 436 -447.

AMA Style

K. Soini, C. Diaz, Gustavo Gandini, Y. De Haas, T. Lilja, D. Martín-Collado, F. Pizzi, S. J. Hiemstra, EURECA - consortium. Developing a typology for local cattle breed farmers in Europe. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 2012; 129 (6):436-447.

Chicago/Turabian Style

K. Soini; C. Diaz; Gustavo Gandini; Y. De Haas; T. Lilja; D. Martín-Collado; F. Pizzi; S. J. Hiemstra; EURECA - consortium. 2012. "Developing a typology for local cattle breed farmers in Europe." Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 129, no. 6: 436-447.

Journal article
Published: 06 June 2012 in Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics
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Our aim was to identify elements useful in designing policies and programmes for conservation of farm animal genetic resources, taking as case study a group of European local cattle breeds. We first investigated the implications of differences among countries in the policies and programmes to be developed. Secondly, we analysed key elements common to countries, which may affect local breed viability. We used the herd size trend expected by the farmer in the near future as an indicator of breed viability. Fifteen breeds, for a total of 355 farms, were surveyed. To take into account the multiple factors influencing breeds' demographic trends, the questionnaire included economical, technical and social aspects. Among the major differences across countries was the perception of the farmer on the value attributed to the local breed by society. Concerning the elements common to countries and their association to breed viability, the greater the collaboration among farmers and the stakeholders' appreciation as perceived by the farmer, the greater the viability of the farm. An opposite trend was observed for the age of the farmer. Older farmers generally planned to soon cease farming or decrease herd size, whereas young farmers planned to increase the size of their herds. Implications of including these elements in conservation policies are discussed.

ACS Style

Gustavo Gandini; Daniel Martin-Collado; Frederic Colinet; D. Duclos; S.J. Hiemstra; K. Soini; C. Diaz; D. Martin‐Collado. Farmer’s views and values to focus on cattle conservation policies: the case of eight European countries. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 2012, 129, 1 .

AMA Style

Gustavo Gandini, Daniel Martin-Collado, Frederic Colinet, D. Duclos, S.J. Hiemstra, K. Soini, C. Diaz, D. Martin‐Collado. Farmer’s views and values to focus on cattle conservation policies: the case of eight European countries. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 2012; 129 (6):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gustavo Gandini; Daniel Martin-Collado; Frederic Colinet; D. Duclos; S.J. Hiemstra; K. Soini; C. Diaz; D. Martin‐Collado. 2012. "Farmer’s views and values to focus on cattle conservation policies: the case of eight European countries." Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 129, no. 6: 1.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2011 in Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Luc De Meester; Peter Van Tienderen; Marinus Werger; Andrew Hector; Gert Wörheide; Jari Niemelä; Alex Aguilar; Erik Smets; Charles Godfray; William Sutherland; Jürgen Bauhus; Franck Courchamp; Gustavo Gandini; Marcus Koch; Yvon Le Maho; Michaël Manuel; Jan Pawlowski; Eric Quéinnec; Ian Owens; Laura Keustermans. Challenges for biodiversity research in Europe. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 2011, 13, 83 -100.

AMA Style

Luc De Meester, Peter Van Tienderen, Marinus Werger, Andrew Hector, Gert Wörheide, Jari Niemelä, Alex Aguilar, Erik Smets, Charles Godfray, William Sutherland, Jürgen Bauhus, Franck Courchamp, Gustavo Gandini, Marcus Koch, Yvon Le Maho, Michaël Manuel, Jan Pawlowski, Eric Quéinnec, Ian Owens, Laura Keustermans. Challenges for biodiversity research in Europe. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2011; 13 ():83-100.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luc De Meester; Peter Van Tienderen; Marinus Werger; Andrew Hector; Gert Wörheide; Jari Niemelä; Alex Aguilar; Erik Smets; Charles Godfray; William Sutherland; Jürgen Bauhus; Franck Courchamp; Gustavo Gandini; Marcus Koch; Yvon Le Maho; Michaël Manuel; Jan Pawlowski; Eric Quéinnec; Ian Owens; Laura Keustermans. 2011. "Challenges for biodiversity research in Europe." Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 13, no. : 83-100.

Comparative study
Published: 22 November 2011 in Reproduction in Domestic Animals
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The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two extraction methods in combination with two different extenders in bull epididymal sperm collection. Testes from 23 sexually mature Limousine bulls were collected at the abattoir. Epididymal sperm recovery was performed using both the float-up (FL) and the retrograde flushing (RF) technique. Within extraction methods, half testes were processed with a Tris egg yolk extender and half with a Tris egg yolk-free extender. Sperm concentration, motility, viability and morphology were evaluated. Sperm concentration was not significantly different between methods. Flushing technique was significantly better than the FL method in terms of sperm quality, considering total motility (80.3 ± 2.3% vs 71.6 ± 2.0%, p < 0.001, respectively) and viability (84.5 ± 1.5% vs 77.2 ± 1.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). Egg yolk influenced positively motility and morphology in the FL method, whereas decreased viability in flushed samples. Results suggest the use of the RF technique to collect cattle epididymal sperm.

ACS Style

F Turri; M Madeddu; Tm Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini; Flavia Pizzi. Influence of recovery methods and extenders on bull epididymal spermatozoa quality. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 2011, 47, 1 .

AMA Style

F Turri, M Madeddu, Tm Gliozzi, Gustavo Gandini, Flavia Pizzi. Influence of recovery methods and extenders on bull epididymal spermatozoa quality. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 2011; 47 (5):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F Turri; M Madeddu; Tm Gliozzi; Gustavo Gandini; Flavia Pizzi. 2011. "Influence of recovery methods and extenders on bull epididymal spermatozoa quality." Reproduction in Domestic Animals 47, no. 5: 1.

Review
Published: 16 April 2010 in Animal Genetics
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The genetic diversity of the world’s livestock populations is decreasing, both within and across breeds. A wide variety of factors has contributed to the loss, replacement or genetic dilution of many local breeds. Genetic variability within the more common commercial breeds has been greatly decreased by selectively intense breeding programmes. Conservation of livestock genetic variability is thus important, especially when considering possible future changes in production environments. The world has more than 7500 livestock breeds and conservation of all of them is not feasible. Therefore, prioritization is needed. The objective of this article is to review the state of the art in approaches for prioritization of breeds for conservation, particularly those approaches that consider molecular genetic information, and to identify any shortcomings that may restrict their application. The Weitzman method was among the first and most well‐known approaches for utilization of molecular genetic information in conservation prioritization. This approach balances diversity and extinction probability to yield an objective measure of conservation potential. However, this approach was designed for decision making across species and measures diversity as distinctiveness. For livestock, prioritization will most commonly be performed among breeds within species, so alternatives that measure diversity as co‐ancestry (i.e. also within‐breed variability) have been proposed. Although these methods are technically sound, their application has generally been limited to research studies; most existing conservation programmes have effectively primarily based decisions on extinction risk. The development of user‐friendly software incorporating these approaches may increase their rate of utilization.

ACS Style

P. J. Boettcher; Michèle Tixier-Boichard; Miguel Angel Toro; H. Simianer; H. Eding; Gustavo Gandini; Stéphane Joost; D. Garcia; L. Colli; Paolo Ajmone Marsan; and the GLOBALDIV Consortium. Objectives, criteria and methods for using molecular genetic data in priority setting for conservation of animal genetic resources. Animal Genetics 2010, 41, 64 -77.

AMA Style

P. J. Boettcher, Michèle Tixier-Boichard, Miguel Angel Toro, H. Simianer, H. Eding, Gustavo Gandini, Stéphane Joost, D. Garcia, L. Colli, Paolo Ajmone Marsan, and the GLOBALDIV Consortium. Objectives, criteria and methods for using molecular genetic data in priority setting for conservation of animal genetic resources. Animal Genetics. 2010; 41 ():64-77.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. J. Boettcher; Michèle Tixier-Boichard; Miguel Angel Toro; H. Simianer; H. Eding; Gustavo Gandini; Stéphane Joost; D. Garcia; L. Colli; Paolo Ajmone Marsan; and the GLOBALDIV Consortium. 2010. "Objectives, criteria and methods for using molecular genetic data in priority setting for conservation of animal genetic resources." Animal Genetics 41, no. : 64-77.