Published on February 2, 2010 at 5:33 AM
The Norwegian company Cryogenetics Ltd. has made a significant
breakthrough by inventing a method for cryo-preservation of fish embryos
down to -130° C (-202° F). This is a major achievement as the world’s
scientific community has pursued a method for cryo-preservation of fish
embryos over several decades without success.
The Cryogenetics Ltd. scientific team, lead by Dr. Elisabeth
Kommisrud has over the past two years systematically approached the task
of establishing protocols for cryo-preservation of fish embryos. An
Atlantic cod embryo was cryo-preserved, thawed and developed normally
before hatching. The fish was named «Coddy». Trials were repeated,
optimized and patent applications were filed to protect the invention.
Due to factors such as global warming, pollution and over-fishing,
several of the world’s fish stocks are facing low numbers and could soon
to be extinct. Cryogentic’s Ltd.’s new technology may be adapted to suit
cryopreservation of embryos from several fish species and thereby save a
stock for future use. A frozen embryo can at a desired point of time be
thawed and continue its natural development. Due to the large egg
production in most fish species, a significant number of offspring can
be produced at spawning. For example, an Atlantic Salmon will typically
produce between 8.000 and 12.000 eggs per female salmon.
The new technology from Cryogenetics Ltd. also gives rise to the
possibility of limiting the spread of diseases in fish farming, since
selected genetic material can be transferred between regions with
different health status in a more controlled and safe way than today.
SOURCE Cryogenetics Ltd.