2.2 The travels
On September 22nd,2022, representatives from the NordFrost network negotiated with the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry regarding the terms for collecting epididymal sperm to allow its subsequent use in artificial insemination (AI) and laboratory embryo production related to ex-situ gene banking.
The NordFrost steering group’s study trip to charities/ organisations related to gene banking activities in the United Kingdom (5.-9.12.2022) included visits to four sites: Cryoarks/Frozen ark in London and Cardiff, Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST)/UK National Livestock Biobank in Warwickshire, and Nature’s SAFE/Stallion AI/ Gemini Genetics/UK National Livestock Biobank in Shropshire. These visits inspired new collaborations and improved knowledge surrounding gene bank infrastructure, sample collection methods and future possibilities for cryoconservation.
