ARS | Publication request: Semen Cryopreservation Research Seek Higher Fertility Rate in Rainbow Trout

Submitted to: Global Aquaculture Advocate
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 20, 2007
Publication Date: April 20, 2007
Citation: Silverstein, J., Purdy, P., Blackburn, H. 2007. Semen Cryopreservation Research Seek Higher Fertility Rate in Rainbow Trout. Global Aquaculture Advocate 2007 March/April p. 84.

Technical Abstract: The use of cryopreserved gametes in aquaculture enterprises is growing. In addition to offering an ex situ (off site) means of storing rare or important genetic material, there are a number of important applications of cryopreserved germplasm. With cryopreservation, the genes from elite and/or selectively bred individuals can be stored, well beyond the lifetime of the donor. Crosses can be made between fish that may not reproduce at the same time of year. Once frozen, the semen can be transported great distances in the frozen state without loss of fertilization success. In an attempt to increase fertility levels of semen that is shipped before being frozen, we are exploring ways to predict the post-thaw quality of cryopreserved semen samples. Preliminary studies have shown that both higher intracellular calcium levels in sperm and sperm with lower exposure of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine (lower levels of apoptosis, or cell death) are correlated with improved fertilization rates and may be useful for predicting the fertilization rates of a sample. As is well documented in terrestrial animals and as competition continues to increase in aquaculture, utilization of cryopreservation technologies will provide users with a competitive advantage in altering their population's genetic merits and thereby increasing their profitability.