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The Norwegian company Cryogenetics Ltd. has made a significant breakthrough by inventing a method for the cryo-(freezing)-preservation of fish embryos down to -130° C (-202° F) .
This is seen as a major achievement. The world’s scientific community has pursued a method for cryo-preservation of fish embryos over several decades without success. A Cryogenetics 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 have been 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. Cryogentics says in a press release that its 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 firm says its new technology 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. (NRK/Press release) Rolleiv Solholm
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