The recently established FAO Global Data Bank for Domestic Livestock aims to document and characterise the different populations of domestic animals found throughout the world. Currently, there are 2047 entries in the data bank. A global breed survey is under way to collect basic information on each breed. From an initial analysis of population data currently available, it is estimated that a total of 390 breeds may be at risk in non-European countries. More than 200 are likely to be in developing countries.

The author describes the existing livestock populations in Vietnam and summarizes the local preservation policies. The selection constraints, objectives and conservation programmes are discussed.

Le Mérinos de Rambouillet, originaire d'Espagne, a été sélectionné à la Bergerie Nationale pour obtenir une excellente qualité de laine. Des reproducteurs ont été exportés dans le monde entier. Suite à la baisse des cours de la laine, la race a subi un déclin. Elle se limite actuellement à 200 têtes, toutes localisées à Rambouillet, avec un taux de consanguinité de 54 p. cent. Pour sauvegarder la race, des embryons ont été congelés et peuvent être réimplantés. Dans l'avenir, des descendants de reproducteurs exportés pendant les décennies précédentes pourraient être réintroduits afin de redonner de la vigueur à la race.

The authors give information on the phenotypic characteristics and production, the history and present state of three autochthonous Hungarian sheep breeds : the Racka, the Tsigai and the Cikta.

Italian autochthonous goats have been discriminated for centuries, first by laws which have limited their rearing, then because foreign breeds, such as Saanen and Alpine, were preferred. Recently, this trend changed and now the number of autochthonous goats is increasing. In Italy, the only goat which can be considered as being wild is the Capra di Montecristo. Among domesticated goats, the Vallese is classified as Capra prisca; the Maltese, the Rossa Mediterranea, the Garganica, the Orobica, the Frontalasca, the Verzaschese, the Sarda, the Argentata dell'Etna and the Locale are classified as Capra hircus hircus while the Girgentana is classified as Capra hircus girgentana.

Data have been published on the production and reproduction of each of these breeds, on the importance of the populations and on development trends; many reports exist on the rearing areas of these breeds.

The author describes the Punganur dwarflike Bos indicus breed of the Southern tip of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. An attempt to rescue the breed in the 1950's was not successful; this cattle are now faced with extinction.

In this short note a comparison is made between the Gir and its dairy crosses (Holstein Friesian, Jersey, Brown Swiss), with special reference to mortality of the females, up to the age of two years. Crossbreeding the Gir resulted in higher mortality rates that decreased with age.

Ce travail présente les caractéristiques morphologiques, productives et d'exploitation les plus importantes de la race Asturienne des Vallées. I,es programmes de contrôle des performances et les modèles d'évaluation génétique pour la sélection de la race sont également décrits.

Ce travail présente les caractéristiques morphologiques, productives et d'exploitation les plus importantes de la race Asturienne de Montagne. Les programmes de contrôle des performances et les modèles d'évaluation génétique pour la sélection et la conservation de la race sont également décrits.