Norwegian genetics technology coming to Canada
The technology of using cryo-preservation of sperm in conjunction with animal breeding programs has been a cornerstone in agricultural livestock development for a long time. But the use of this technology in aquaculture has only been moderately successful until recently. A Norwegian company has developed a new method of freezing salmon milt that has shown equal or better fertilization rates compared with using fresh milt.
The new, innovative method of preserving salmon milt developed by Cryogenetics AS has resulted in a 94% fertilization rate in Pacific coho salmon and similar rates for Atlantic salmon in Norway. Experiments with this species in Canada have shown fertilization success of eggs using frozen sperm of about 90%. These rates are approximately 20 per cent better than any of the company’s competitors, according to an interview by FishfarmingXpert with Cryogenetics Managing Director Jörn Ulheim in Campbell River this week.
The company has invented a method for the cryo-preservation of fish embryos at temperatures as low as -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” says a company release. “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. Trials were repeated, optimized and patent applications were filed to protect the invention”.
The use of cryo-preserved sperm can greatly enhance the results from conventional breeding programs, and provide an insurance benefit against incidents of disease in brood stock. It is also viewed as an important tool in wild and endangered fish management. The company is working with government agencies in Norway to evaluate the efficiency of the technology in connection with wild salmon conservation projects.
In addition to trials with Atlantic and coho salmon conducted in British Columbia last year, the company is planning to continue experiments with those species as well as Chinook salmon this year. Working with the local fish breeding company TRI-GEN Fish Improvement Ltd. and Fisheries and Oceans Canada,, Cryogenetics is also hoping to conduct trials with sockeye salmon this fall.
