Includes bibliographical references (pages 145-159).

Confirming the decision to cryoconserve -- In situ conservation -- Ex situ conservation -- Complementary roles of in situ and ex situ conservation -- When is cryoconservation the best option? -- Implementation and organization -- Shaping national strategies and action plans -- Organization and institutions -- Participation of stakeholders -- Funding and attracting support for projects -- Objectives of cryoconservation programmes -- Gene banking -- Collection goals -- Collection categories -- Utilizing the working collection -- Refreshing the collections -- Potential use of different types of germplasm and tissue -- Semen -- Embryos -- Oocytes -- Somatic cells -- Cryopreservation of DNA for genetic analyses -- Choosing the genetic material to store -- Advanced procedures and their curent potential in cryoconservation -- Future prospects for cryoconservation -- Establishing a gene bank -- physical structure and costs -- The physical plant -- Size and capacity requirements for gene banks -- Recommended equipment and estimated costs -- Gene bank security -- Centralization and accessibility -- Human resources -- Continuity of operations -- Developing gene bank collections -- Choice of populations to include in the gene bank -- Collection targets for reconstituting populations -- Utilization of gene bank material in live conservation and breeding -- Selection of individuals for cryopreservation -- Collection of complementary biological material -- Basic principles of cryopreservation -- Slow freezing -- Vitrification -- Freeze drying -- Collection of germplasm and tissues -- Semen -- Embryos -- Oocytes -- Somatic cells -- Sanitary recommendations -- Collection and processing facility -- Field collection -- Disease testing -- Storing samples -- Database and documentation -- Components of a gene bank information system -- Database information set -- Legal issues -- contracts and access -- Structure for handling agreements -- Acquiring germplasm -- Access to the gene bank's collection -- International transfers of germplasm -- Capacity building and training -- References and appendices -- References.

Also available on the World Wide Web.

Also available on the Internet.