METHODS FOR CONTROLLING SEX OF OVIPAROUS EMBRYOS USING LIGHT SOURCES

• US 20150230440A1
• Filed: 04/24/2015
• Published: 08/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signify North America Corporation (Signify N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Once Innovations Inc. (Signify N.V.)
• Inventors: GRAJCAR, Zdenko, PAYNE, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 11,172,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 45/007 Injecting or otherwise treating hatching eggs
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/06 Arrangements for heating or lighting in, or attached to, receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 19/00 Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation

Abstract

The sex of embryos in eggs is influenced or controlled through the application of light having selected wavelengths in order to promote the development of embryos of a selected sex. An incubating device is provided having an interior cavity that can be sealed from an outside, and having a plurality of lighting elements in the interior cavity. Eggs are disposed in the interior cavity, and pre-determined environmental conditions are applied to the interior cavity to promote hatching of the eggs. Concurrently with the application of the environmental conditions, the eggs are irradiated according to pre-determined lighting conditions. The lighting conditions include applying light having wavelengths substantially concentrated in selected ranges, such as light wavelengths within the 440-460 nm, or other narrow range.

Claims

1. A method of promoting production of larvae of a selected sex of an aquatic animal, the method comprising;

providing a plurality of larvae of an aquatic animal in a volume of water;

irradiating the plurality of larvae with light having a spectrum substantially concentrated within a predetermined range of wavelengths to promote production of the selected sex in the egg.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined range is 440-460 nm.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the production of male larvae is promoted.

4. An aquarium system comprising;

a tank with adjoining walls forming an interior cavity for holding a volume of water;

a lighting device positioned to emit light having a predetermined spectrum substantially concentrated within the interior cavity at a pre-determined lighting intensity and according to a predetermined schedule to irradiate larvae within the volume of water with the light having the predetermined spectrum to promote production of the selected sex in the larvae.

5. The incubation device of claim 4, wherein the lighting device is of a size and a shape to engage the adjoining walls to retain the lighting elements in spaced relationship to water within the body.

6. The incubation device of claim 5, wherein the lighting device has a clear cover to prevent the lighting elements from being exposed to water.