The Gallic cock saved thanks to cryogenics

The Gallic cock, of the Gauloise dorée breed, one of the most ancient French animal breeds, and France's national symbol, was gradually disappearing. Only 200 individuals, kept by amateur breeders, were left. One of the characteristics of this breed is its capacity to adapt to very different environments and its resistance potential. Over a period of almost two years, researchers at the National Agricultural Research Institute (INRA) set up an avian cryobank. They chose the best-looking specimens of cocks and hens, collected eggs, vaccinated them and reared the chicks. They kept about 20 males and took samples of their sperm and froze it at -196°C, which will enable them to re-establish the breeding stock through successive cross breeding with standard hens, should the breed be wiped out, by an epidemic for example. Hence, this avian cryobank, created within the framework of the national cryobank for the conservation of domestic animals, makes it possible to prevent the disappearance of endangered species, in particular due to health problems such as avian influenza, which often lead to mass slaughtering.