METHOD FOR CRYOPRESERVATION OF TELEOSTEI SEMEN

Abstract: The present invention refers to an industrial process for the cryopreservation of the semen of Teleostei. The process is based on the definition and utilisation of a freezing curve, which allows the reproducibility of the fertilization efficiencies obtained from the sperm frozen according to the present invention. A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of such process and products in breeding programmes and genetic selection for industrial breeding.

Description: METHOD FOR CRYOPRESERVATION OF TELEOSTEI SEMEN Field of the invention The field of the invention concerns a cryopreservation method for Teleostei spermatozoa, for use in the zootechnical field. Background art The methods of cryopreservation applied to different biological material (cells, tissues, gametes) have long been the subject of research at both industrial and scientific level also in the zootechnical field. The reasons for such interest, in the zootechnical field, is particularly aimed at the preservation of germinal cells because of the greater compactness of the genetic information compared to the entire animal. The usefulness of such methods relies on the possibility of favouring or allowing particularly advantageous selections or cross-breeding, otherwise improbable due to environmental limits or geographical boundaries. The advantages of cryopreservation rely on the: - possibility of preserving the genetic material; - possibility of analyses and comparison of genetic material, between various individuals of a species; - facilitation of crossing-overs, compared to crossing-overs of animals; - possibility to select the most suitable crossing according to i.e. environmental conditions; - possibility to check the absence of contamination by infectious agents. - the benefit of preserving reduced liquid volumes, compared to the maintenance of farmed animals. Different methods are currently available for the cryopreservation of sperm derived from animal species of zootechnical interest, particularly fish of commercial interest. A review is presented in: Maisse G. et al. INRA Prod. Anim. 1998, 11 : 57- 65. Lahnsteiner et al. in Aquaculture, 1996, 144: 265-274 present a freezing method for the preservation of fish sperm. In this case, as well as in other methods known in the art, the main limitations lie in the non-standardization of the whole process necessary to guarantee large scale reproducibility for industrial applications. Summary of the invention The invention provides a highly standardized process for the preservation of the seminal liquid of Teleostei, namely fishes, based on the definition and use of a reproducible freezing curve. The process is particularly useful in the genetic breeding and commercial farming of different fish species, preferably Salmonidae, most preferably Salmo salar, Onchorynchus mykiss, and may be usefully applied also to Thymallus thymallus and Hucho hucho. The process according to the invention allows the cryopreservation on industrial scale, of sperm samples which maintain excellent fertilization efficiency after the freezing process and subsequent thawing. Detailed description of the invention The present invention provides a reproducible freezing process for the cryopreservation of the semen of Teleostei species, preferably belonging to the family of Salmonidae, most preferably Salmo salar and Onchorynchus mykiss, usefully applied also to other Salmonidae species such as Thymallus thymallus and Hucho hucho, based on the definition and use of a freezing curve, corresponding to a cooling rate of the samples of 30°- 40°C/min, from +2 - +6°C to -110°C. The freezing process comprises the following steps: a) obtaining the semen from selected individuals; b) dilution in a suitable diluent at semen/diluent ratios comprised between 1 :3 and 1 :5 (v/v); c) equilibration of the diluted semen for less than 15 minutes, at a temperature comprised between +2 and +6 °C, preferably +4°C and aliquoting the diluted semen solution into 0.5 ml "paillettes"; d) freezing by temperature reduction (cooling) at a rate of 30°-40 o C/min, from a temperature lower than +6°C to -110°C, preferably from + 4°C to -110 °C. Suitable diluents used in step b) comprises commonly used isotonic buffered solution, with a pH ranging from 7.2 to 8.2, preferably 7.8, containing exogenous proteins in concentration ranging from 7.0% and_10.0%, preferably 8.5%. Exogenous proteins are a mixture of BSA (Bovine Serum Albumine) and egg yolk, in a preferred concentration range respectively of 1-2% and 6-8%, preferably 1.5% e 7%. The buffer used are chosen among those known by the skilled artisan for this pH range. Suitable buffers are represented for example by Tris Hepes and phosphate. In a preferred embodiment the buffer is Hepes at a concentration comprised between 10-35 mM, preferably 20 mM. Optionally the diluent comprises divalent cations. Preferred divalent cations are Ca ++ and Mg ++ , such as CaCI 2 and MgS0 4 salts, in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 mM (CaCI 2 ) for both salts. Preferably CaCI 2 is 1 mM and MgSO 4 is 0.8 mM. The diluent comprises a polysaccharide, which is preferably saccharose in a preferred concentration range of 0.25-0.75%, preferably 0.5% (w/v). The osmolarity of the diluent ranges from 250 mosm to 350 mosm, and is preferably 300 mosm. The diluent comprises cryoprotectants or preservatives. Substances used as cryoprotectants are known in the art and are commonly used in mammalian and prokaryotic cells freezing procedures. Among the cryoprotectants known in the art such as methanol, glycerol, DMSO, methanol is the most preferred. The concentration of the cryoprotectant is adjusted in relation to its cryoprotectant activity in aqueous solution and in relation to its citotoxicity. A preferred concentration of 6.5%-13.5% (v/v) methanol is used in the diluent, most preferably 10%. The concentration may be adjusted in a range comprised between 0.8 and 1.2% (v/v), preferably 1 % when the cryoprotectant is glycerol, or to a concentration comprised between 3-7% (v/v), preferably 5% when the cryoprotectant agent is DMSO (dimethylsulphoxide). In a preferred embodiment the diluent has the following composition: 103 mM NaCI, 40 mM KCI, 1 mM CaCI 2 , 0.8 mM MgS0 4 , 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.8; 10% Methanol, 1.5% bovine serum albumine; 7% egg yolk; 0.5% saccharose and has an osmolarity value of 300 mosm. The process has been standardized to 0.5 ml paillettes, as indicated in step b) of the process. Such tubes are made by synthetic material, such as i.e. PETG or SURLINE such as the I.M.V. "paillettes" (L'Aigle Cedex, France) commonly used for the purpose of liquid specimen storage. Other tubes with similar dimensions and properties may be used with only routinary adjustments to the method of the invention, performed by the skilled artisan. The cooling rate (freezing curve) in step d) of the process, is obtained with a programmable freezing unit, such as the Digitcool 5300 ® or other units with the same technical characteristics of programmation. The process according to the invention has been successfully applied to the freezing of farmed fish semen belonging to the Salmonidae family. In particular, it is particularly advantageous for the freezing of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and salmon (Salmo salar) semen and can be usefully applied also to other salmonidae species such as the grayling {Thymallus thymallus) and the Danube salmon (Hucho hucho). In a further embodiment the invention is related to the cryopreserved sperm obtainable by the process above described. The main characteristics are that: the product is derived from selected individuals, preferably it is genetically evaluated and ranked, and is preferably free from known pathogens (according to law 91/67/CEE). Moreover it is easily carried anywhere (in controlled temperature conditions), with no substantial geographical limit to the place of use; when used in In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, gives reproducible fertilization efficiencies; its use is advantageously extended i.e. to maintain the genetic heritage of wild fish, to realize inter or intra species crossing-overs, to perform selection schemes and for the breeding of genetically improved progenies. In a further embodiment the process of the invention is related to a freezing and thawing technique (freeze-thaw technique), which in addition to the previously characterized steps, further comprises the subsequent step of: e) warming the paillette and its frozen sperm content until the second is melted, at a temperature lower than 30°C, preferably comprised between 24 and 26°C, most preferably 25°C, for a time comprised between 20 and 40 seconds, preferably 30 seconds. In a preferred embodiment, warming is performed in a water bath, thermostated at a temperature comprised between 24 and 26°C, preferably 25°C. The sperm, frozen and thawed according to this further embodiment of the invention, has a visual motility (VM) ranging from 10% to 40% as measured after sperm activation performed as well known in the art (Lahnsteiner et al. in Aquaculture, 1996, 27: 659-671 ). Briefly, to measure MV, the sperm sample (0.5 ml) is diluted 1 :10 in a fertilization solution consisting of NaHC0 3 60 mM, glycine 20 mM, theophylline 5 mM, Tris 50 mM, pH 9 and immediately incubated at 4°C in a Markler Chamber and microscopically observed with a 20x objective enlargement. In one of its further embodiments the invention relates to the thawed sperm obtainable by the process comprising the steps a), b), c) , d) and e) according to the invention, characterized by a visual motility not lower than 10%. In a further embodiment the process of the invention provides a method for homologous in vitro fertilization of Teleostei eggs in which the semen cryopreserved by the use of the process of the invention according to steps a)-d), is thawed and used in a fertilization process, according to methods well known in the art. In one of its further embodiments, the invention provides a process for in vitro fertilization (IVF) which is characterized by the use of the semen cryopreserved according to the process a)-d) of the above described process. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the IVF further comprises the steps of: f) diluting the thawed sperm in a range comprised between 1 :1 and 1 :5 with a fertilization solution comprising: Tris in concentration comprised between 10 e 100 mM, preferably Tris 50 mM at pH 9, and bicarbonate in concentrations comprised between 1 and 100 mM, preferably 60 mM and optionally comprising theophyilline and glycine, preferably at concentrations respectively of 5 mM and 20 mM; g) adding the diluted sperm to the eggs (preferably the diluted content of 1 0.5 ml "paillette" each 100-200 eggs), mixing gently; h) incubating the mixture for a time comprised between 2' and 5', preferably 3', at a temperature comprised between 2°C and 6°C, preferably 4°C; i) diluting the mixture with spring water to about 30-60 ml for 100-200 eggs, preferably 50ml/150 eggs j) incubating the mixture at a temperature comprised between 4°C and 13°C for not less than 20 days. The fertilization rate obtained by the process according to this further embodiment of the invention is standardized, ranging from 90% to 30%, preferably from 80% to 50% and is obtained on industrial scale. According to another embodiment the invention is related to the product obtainable from the in vitro fertilization process, as characterized by the use of the frozen sperm according to the particular embodiment of the invention, which consists in the Salmonidae fertilized eggs. The processes according to the different embodiments of the invention, are particularly advantageous in the zootechnical field, particularly in aquaculture for the standardized reproduction of farmed Teleostei and in particular for the breeding of genetically improved progenies, belonging to the family of Salmonidae, among which the Oncorhyncus, Salmo, Thymallus and Hucho genus are preferably chosen. Most preferred are the Oncorhyncus and Salmo genus. The freezing and the In Vitro Fertilization processes, according to the invention, and the products thereof, are successfully applied to industrial and research processes to preserve the genetic heritage of these animal species or is used in selection schemes to design breedings resulting in individuals with qualities useful for the improvement of farmed species in any aquaculture condition (breeding of genetically improved progenies). Usually qualities such as the average daily gain (ADG), survival rate (SR), normal progeny rate (NPR), are positively selected for any aquaculture purposes. Other positively selected qualities are represented by the individual weight (IW), length (L), or brightness (B). Negative selection is performed for example on the number of abnormal progeny (NAF). Evaluation of the genetic component of such properties in the selected individuals and in their genetic material (the frozen semen) is performed by statistical analysis by methods well known in the art (Searle S. 1987. "Linear models for unbalanced data". John Wiley & Sons Inc. Edit. New York NY-USA; Van Vleck L.D. 1993 "Selection index and introduction to mixed model methods". CRC Press Inc. Edit, Boca Raton, FL-USA; Henderson C R. 1975 "Comparison of alternative sire evaluation methods". J Animal Science 41 :760) for example by the so-called BLUP model, such as "sire-model", or the "animal model" or other linear models which allows the evaluation of the effects of the variables above defined with the aim of genetically ranking the value of frozen sperm. This value is taken into account in the design new breeding schemes to obtain selected progeny, for particular aquaculture adapted conditions or according to different requirements i.e. in the field of research or for market-oriented reasons. In a further aspect the invention is related to the use of frozen semen of Teleostei as a powerful tool in selection programmes, where for selection programme is meant a breeding scheme where statistical procedures are applied in order to evaluate the genetic value of the individual fish and of its genetic material, namely gametes o sperm, for the traits of interest such as those mentioned above. In a further embodiment the invention is related to the use of the frozen sperm obtainable accordingly to the process of the invention for selection programmes and breeding schemes. The process according to all or particular embodiments of the invention is also useful for industrial and research processes requiring: - the preservation of the genetic material of "wild" specimens, endangered by extreme environmental conditions (pollution etc.); - the genetic analyses of specimens with special properties; - the facilitation and the design of cross-breeding, with respect to the breeding of the entire animals; - the selection of the most suitable breeding according to different environmental conditions; - the safety of breeding by control of contamination by infectious agents; the reduction of the maintenance costs of live specimens for reproduction. The invention is detailed in the following experimental examples which do not have limitative purposes. EXPERIMENTAL PART Example 1 : Collection and freezing of rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) and salmon (Salmo salar) semen. The sperm was collected by abdominal massage from previously sedated reproductive individuals belonging to the Onchorhyncus mykiss and Salmo salar species. The volume of the liquid collected was established by micropipet; any contaminated samples were discarded. Visual motility (VM) was ascertained by observation through a 20x phase microscope, after activation of the spermatozoa (carried out in a Makler cell) at 4°C, diluted 1 :10 in a fertilization solution consisting of: 60 mM NaHC0 3 ; 20 mM glycine; 5 mM theophylline; 50 mM Tris, pH 9. The freezing process was performed as follows: the semen was diluted at a semen:diluent ratio comprised between 1 :3 to 1 :5 (as indicated in the Table) with a buffer solution containing: 103 mM NaCI, 40mM KCI; 1 mM CaCI 2 , 0.8 mM MgSO , 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.8, 10% methanol, 1.5% bovine serum albumine; 7% egg yolk; 0.5% saccharose. The diluted sperm sample was therefore aliquoted into 0.5 ml aliquots in "paillettes", equilibrated at 4°C for 10 min. and frozen in liquid nitrogen by cooling at a rate of 30°C/min, from +4°C to -110°C, by setting the freezing curve on the Digitcool 5300 ® programmable freezing unit. The "paillettes" were then immersed in liquid nitrogen. The visual motility (VM) of the semen was ascertained after collection and after the freeze-thaw procedure performed by incubation of the "paillettes" in a thermostatic bath at 25°C for 30 sec. The data related to the visual motility (VM) of the rainbow trout sperm collection (series T) are listed in table 1 , while the data related to salmon sperm VM before and after treatment (cryopreservation according to the invention) are shown in table 2. Table 1- Visual motility (VM) data of series T (rainbow trout). 1/1T 1. 80-90 1:5 5-10 12 1/2T 1.2 80 1:5 25 7 1/3T 3 90-95 1:5 15-20 17 1/4T 1.5 90-95 1:5 5-10 14 1/5T 8 90-95 1:5 5-10 20 1/6T 1.7 90 1:5 10-15 15 1/7T 1.6 85-90 1:5 5-10 14 1/8T 1.9 95 1:5 10-15 17 1/9T 2 85 1:5 5-10 17 1/10T 2 85-90 1:5 25 14 1/11T 2 90 1:5 5-10 18 2/1 T 1.5 90 1:3 10 9 2/2T 1 90 1:5 10 9 2/3T 3 85 1:3 5-10 19 2/4T 2 80 1:3 10 12 2/5T 2.5 85 1:5 15 20 2/6T 1.2 90 1:4 10-15 8 2/7T 4.5 50 1:3 15-20 12 2/8T 1.2 90 1:3 15 7 2/9T 2 70 1:3 15-20 12 2/10T 5 85-90 1:3 10 29 2/11T 1.3 90 1:3 20 7 Table 1 - cont'ed batch/ VOL (ml) VM (%) DILUTION VM (%) no. progenitor sperm semen RATIO after "paillettes" code collected treatment produced 3/1 T 1 75 1:3 10 7 3/2T 1.6 70 1:3 15-20 9 3/3T 2 70 1:3 20-25 13 3/5T 1.5 80 1:3 25-30 9 3/6T 2 90 1:3 5-10 12 3/8T 1.7 85 1:3 10-15 10 3/11T 1.7 85 1:3 5-10 11 Table 2 - Visual motility (VM) data of series S (salmon). 1/1S 3 3 90 1:3 15 14 1/2S 4 3 65 1:3 25 17 1/3S 3 3 75 1:3 50 11 1/4S 5 3 80 1:3 30 23 1/5S 3 3 70 1:3 20 15 1/6S 3 3 80 1:3 30 25 1/7S 3 3 70 1:3 15 18 1/8S 3 3 50 1:3 10 22 1/9S 2 2 80 1:3 30 9 1/10S 8 3 75 1:3 15 20 2/1 S 6 1 70 1:3 30 5 2/2S 4 3 65 1:3 25 17 2/3S 3 3 85 1:3 20 27 2/4S 10 3 90 1:3 16 19 2/5S 9 3 85 1:3 35 29 2/6S 3 3 80 1:3 15 10 2/7S 5 3 75 1:3 35 10 2/8S 4 3 85 1:3 25 20 2/9S 4 3 95 1:3 30 15 2/1 OS 3 3 95 1:3 10 26 Example 2: Determination of the fertilization efficiency of the T series samples. 30 sexually mature females, unbound by family ties, of similar average size to the males used for sperm collection, were sampled, labelled and kept in isolation up to the moment of the expression of the eggs. 10 females were used as egg donors for the fertilization test and 20 for the production of the progeny groups. For this purpose, the eggs obtained from all 20 females were collected in a single pool and divided into suitably sized aliquots for each experiment. Such females originated from fisheries officially declared free of infection or illness. The frozen sperm samples were brought to the fishery for the fertilization of the eggs and the evaluation of on-site fertilization efficiency (progeny production). All sperm samples used had a visual motility, measured as described in the previous example, of not less than 10%. Approximately 2000 eggs were used for the production of farmed progenies and approx. 150 for the fertilization test. In both cases, the eggs were transferred into a beaker and diluted 1 :2 with the fertilization solution comprising of: 60 mM NaHC0 3 ; 20 mM glycine; 5mM theophylline; 50 mM Tris, pH 9. The frozen sperm samples were thawed as described above, diluted with the fertilization solution and placed with the eggs (1 "paillette" containing 0.5 ml of sperm/150 eggs), and mixed gently. After 3 minutes of incubation at 4°C, spring water was added (50 ml/150 eggs) the eggs were washed and incubated in flow hatcheries at a temperature of 11°C. The development of embryos was obtained in spring water and the fertilization success percentage was assessed after 30 days by measuring the percentage of embryos with eyes. The data regarding the percentage of eggs fertilized after the freezing and thawing treatment are shown in Table 3. Table 3 - Evaluation of the freezing process: results of the fertilization test. The experiments were repeated in farming condition in fisheries to evaluate reproducibility at the industrial level in aquaculture. Table 5 shows the results of the fertilization experiments performed at the industrial level. The progeny groups derived from each male were maintained in separate tanks (two tanks for each progeny group), up to the moment in which the fish were of sufficient size to allow labelling. The averages of the fertilization efficiencies obtained in aquafarm, presented in Table 4, are similar to those obtained from individual laboratory performed tests, presented in Table 3. These results show that for the rainbow trout the standardized protocol, obtained by the use of frozen semen, is well adapted to aquaculture in farm condition without any loss of efficiency. Example 3. Evaluation of the fertilization capacity of the S series semen after the freeze-thaw treatment (Salmo salar). An experimental procedure similar to the one used in Example 1 and 2 was applied to Salmo salar eggs for the evaluation of the fertilization rate with frozen sperm. 10 sexually mature females, unbound by family ties, of similar average size to the males used for sperm collection, were sampled, labelled and kept in isolation up to the moment of the expression of the eggs. 5 females were used as egg donors for the fertilization test and 5 for the production of the progeny groups. For this purpose, the eggs obtained from all 5 females were collected in a single pool and divided into suitably sized aliquots for each experiment. Such females originated from fisheries officially declared free of infection or illness. The frozen sperm samples were brought to the fishery for the fertilization of the eggs and the evaluation of on-site fertilization efficiency (progeny production). All sperm samples used had a visual motility, measured as described in the previous example, of not less than 10%. Approximately 2000 eggs were used for the production of farmed progenies and approx. 150 for the fertilization test. In both cases, the eggs were transferred into a beaker and diluted 1 :2 with the fertilization solution comprising of: 60 mM NaHC03; 20 mM glycine; 5 mM theophylline; 50 mM Tris, pH 9. The frozen sperm samples were defrosted as described above and placed with the eggs (1 "paillette" containing 0.5 ml of diluted sperm/150 eggs), and mixed gently. After 3 minutes of incubation, spring water was added (50 ml/150 eggs) the eggs were washed and incubated in flow hatcheries at a temperature of 11 °C. The development of embryos was obtained in spring water and the fertilization success percentage was assessed after 25 days by measuring the percentage of embryos with eyes. The percentage of eggs fertilised after the freeze-thaw treatment are shown in Table 6, while fish farming (aquafarm condition) data are reported in Table 7. Table 6 - Evaluation of the cryopreservation protocol: fertilization results Table 7 - Fertilization results obtained in aquafarm The averages of the fertilization efficiencies obtained in aquafarm, presented in Table 7, are similar to those obtained from individual laboratory performed tests, presented in Table 6. These results show that also in the case of salmon the standardized protocol, obtained by the use of frozen semen, is well adapted to aquaculture in farm condition without any loss of efficiency.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A process for the cryopreservation of Teleostei semen, comprising the following steps: a) obtainment of semen from selected individuals; b) dilution of the semen in a diluent at a semen/diluent volume ratio comprised between 1 :3 and 1 :5; c) equilibration of the diluted semen at a temperature comprised between 2°C and 6°C for a time lower than 15 minutes, and aliquoting of the diluted semen solution in 0.5 ml "paillettes"; d) freezing by cooling of the aliquots at a rate of 30°- 40°C/minute from 4°C to - 110°C. 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the cooling is performed using a programmable freezing unit. 3. A process according to claim 1-2 wherein said Teleostei belong to the family of Salmonidae. 4. A process according to claim 3 wherein said Salmonidae are chosen among the species of: Oncorhyncus mykiss, Salmo salar, Thymallus thymallus and Hucho hucho. 5. A process according to claim 1 wherein said diluent in step b) is an isotonic solution comprising: NaCI, Hepes at a concentration comprised between 10 mM and 35 mM, KCI at a concentration comprised between 20 mM and 60 mM, methanol at a concentration comprised between 6.5%-13.5% (v/v), egg yolk at a concentration comprised between 1 %-2% (v/v), BSA at a concentration comprised between 6% and 8% (w/v), sucrose at a concentration comprised between 0.25% and 0.75%; and with a pH value comprised between 7.2 and 8.2, and an osmolarity comprised between 250-350 mosm. 6. A process according to claim 5 wherein said diluent comprises CaCI 2 at a concentration comprised between 0.5 mM and 1.5 mM and MgS0 at a concentration comprised between 0.5 mM and 1.2 mM, 7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the diluent comprises: 20 mM Hepes, pH 7.8, 40 mM KCI, 1 mM CaCI 2 , 0.8 mM MgSO 4 , 10% Methanol, 103 mM NaCI, 1.5% bovine serum albumine; 7% egg yolk; 0.5% sucrose. 8. A process according to claims 1-7, further comprising the step of: e) heating the frozen sperm, at a temperature lower than 30°C, for a time lower than 1'. 9. A process according to claim 8 wherein said temperature is 25°C and said time is 30". 10. A process for in vitro fertilization characterized by using the semen cryopreserved according to the process of claims 1-7 11. A process for in vitro fertilization according to claim 10 which further comprises the steps of: e) thawing the sperm by incubation in a water bath at a temperature comprised between 20°C and 30°C, for a time lower than 1 minute; f) diluting the thawed sperm in a range ratio comprised between 1 :1 and 1 :5 (v/v) with a fertilization buffer; g) adding the diluted sperm to Teleostei eggs with gentle mixing; h) incubating the mixture for a time comprised between 2' and 5' and at a temperature comprised between +2°C and +6°C i) diluting the mixture with fresh water to 30-60 ml for 100-200 eggs. j) incubating the diluted mixture at a temperature comprised between 4°C and 13° C for not less than 20 days 12. A process according to claim 11 , where in the fertilization buffer is an aqueous isotonic solution comprising: Tris, at pH value comprised between 8.5 and 9.5, in a concentration comprised between 40 mM and 60, NaHCO 3 at a concentration comprised between 50 mM and 70 mM, and optionally comprising: theophyilline at concentration comprised between 3 mM - and 7 mM and glyine at a concentration comprised between 15 mM - and 25 mM. 13. A process according to claim 10 wherein said fertilization buffer is an aqueous solution comprising: Tris 50 mM pH 9, theophyilline 5 mM, glycine 20 and NaHCO 3 60mM. 14. A process according to claim 12, where in said fertilization has an efficiency not lower than 50%. 15. Frozen sperm obtainable by the process according to claims 1-7. l 16. Frozen sperm according to claim 15 which is genetically characterized. l 17. Frozen sperm according to claim 15 which is free from pathogens. 1 18. Thawed sperm obtainable by the process according to claims 8-9 which has a 2 VM not lower than 10 %. l 19. Fertilized eggs obtainable by the process according to claims 10-14 1 20. A process according to anyone of claims 1-9 for the analysis and 2 characterization of the genetic material of selected animals. 1 21. A process according to anyone of claims 1-9 for the selection of the most 2 suitable individuals for breeding. 1 22. A process according to anyone of claims 1-14 for the breeding of genetically 2 improved progenies. 1 23. A process according to anyone of claims 1-14 for the production of fish of 2 interest in the aquaculture industry. l 24. Use of cryopreserved Teleostei semen in selection programmes. l 25. Use of the frozen semen according to claims 15-17 in selection programmes.

Inventors: ALEANDRI RICCARDO, GALLI ANDREA, ALEANDRI, RICCARDO, GALLI, ANDREA
Applicants: ALEANDRI RICCARDO, GALLI ANDREA, ISTITUTO SPERIMENTALE ITALIANO, ALEANDRI, RICCARDO, GALLI, ANDREA, ISTITUTO SPERIMENTALE ITALIANO "LAZZARO SPALLANZANI"
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01N1
IPC codes: A01N1