Interest in genetic conservation of domestic animals and farm animals has increased rapidly in recent years. The aim of this course is to provide basic principles for conservation and sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources, as well as to give detailed information about the global status of farm animal genetic resources.

1. Introduction of the course, definition of the concept of biological diversity 2. Defining the concepts of species, breed and native animal genetic resources 3. The importance and current status of farm animal genetic resources on a global and national basis 4. Reasons for extinction of animal genetic resources, objectives for conservation 5. Determination and categorization of risk status 6. Conservation strategies and choosing the conservation methods: in situ and ex situ 7. The basics of cryo-conservation and gene banks 8. Global strategy for management of farm animal genetic resources, development of the global databanks 9. Sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources 10. Monitoring and evaluation systems, organizing breeders to monitor populations 11. Methods for measurement of diversity: molecular genetic approaches 12. Genetic variation and rates of inbreeding 13. Calculating the effective population size and its impact on inbreeding 14. Animal genetic resources of Turkey and conservation efforts, the introduction of the National Action Plan