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Cryopreservation: a valuable tool for hatcheries Steffen Wolla, Cryogenetics
Cryopreservation is a technique that preserves biological material in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). This extremely low temperature makes sure that all biological and biochemical processes are paused, allowing the storage of biological material, such as the male gametes, indefinitely (Özkavukcu & Erdemli, 2002). The use of cryopreservation of genetic material has provided several opportunities in modern breeding programs, which has led to a rapid breeding progress for both livestock and fish. Breeding companies get access to a more predictable and efficient method for transferring important genes between populations, which in turn allows an increased and more controlled exchange of genetics. Therefore, more rapid breeding progress can be achieved, as well as more efficient distribution of important genetic traits. Additionally, the use of cryopreservation provides more assurances and serves as a backup in case a disastrous event occurs, such as natural catastrophes, viral infections or technical errors resulting in the death of fish.
Milt patented packaging Cryogenetics is a biotechnology company specializing in reproduction and cryopreservation services within aquaculture with production laboratories situated in all major salmonid producing countries, such as Norway, the UK, Canada, the USA, and Chile. What distinguishes Cryogenetics’ services from traditional cryopreservation is their patented packaging, the SquarePack® (Stengel, 2010). This allows a higher volume of the male gametes to be frozen in each package, facilitating the reproduction process at the hatcheries. This is because one SquarePack® has the capacity to fertilize a much higher volume of eggs than straws, making the work process less difficult. Additionally, Cryogenetics’ protocol for using cryogenically frozen milt has shown
Hatchery Feed & Management Vol 8 Issue 3 2020
very high fertilization rates in salmonid species (Grevle et al., 2015; Kommisrud et al., 2020).
Advantages of cryopreservation Cryopreservation might be something most would associate with nature management of threatened species, but it is becoming an increasingly popular tool in many hatcheries’ breeding strategies. Generally speaking, the use of cryopreservation as a tool at the hatcheries may be divided into two main strategies: