Cryoconservation is an important element of strategies to protect and manage livestock genetic diversity. Establishing a cryoconservation programme requires expertise in planning, priority setting and institutional development, as well as in the design and construction of facilities for collecting and storing germplasm. It also requires knowledge of the quantities of genetic material that need to be stored in order to meet conservation objectives and of the techniques for cryoconserving different types of tissue and material from different species. Cryoconservation of Animal Genetic Resources provides guidance on all these aspects of cryoconservation, along with advice on sanitary measures, data management, legal issues and capacity building. Detailed protocols and lists of equipment and reagents for the collection and cryopreservation of various tissues for a range of livestock species are also included.