Cryoprotectant-free vitrification of fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spermatozoa: first report
Cryoprotectant-free vitrification of fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spermatozoa: first report
Authors
Merino, O.
Sanchez, R.
Risopatron, J.
Isachenko, E.
Katkov, I. I.
Figueroa Villalobos, Elías
Valdebenito Isler, Iván
Mallmann, P.
Isachenko, V.
Sanchez, R.
Risopatron, J.
Isachenko, E.
Katkov, I. I.
Figueroa Villalobos, Elías
Valdebenito Isler, Iván
Mallmann, P.
Isachenko, V.
Authors
Date
Datos de publicación:
ANDROLOGIA,Vol.44,390-395,2012
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Abstract
The aims of this investigation were to test a novel technology comprising cryoprotectant-free vitrification of the spermatozoa of rainbow trout and to study the ability of sucrose and components of seminal plasma to protect these cells from cryo-injuries. Spermatozoa were isolated and vitrified using three different media: Group 1: standard buffer for fish spermatozoa, Cortland (R) medium (CM, control); Group 2: CM + 1% BSA + 40% seminal plasma; and Group 3: CM + 1% BSA + 40% seminal plasma + 0.125 m sucrose. For cooling, 20-mu l suspensions of cells from each group were dropped directly into liquid nitrogen. For warming, the spheres containing the cells were quickly submerged in CM + 1% BSA at 37 degrees C with gentle agitation. The quality of spermatozoa before and after vitrification was analysed by the evaluation of motility and cytoplasmic membrane integrity with SYBR-14/propidium iodide staining technique. Motility (86%, 81% and 82% for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively) (P > 0.1) was not decreased significantly. At the same time, cytoplasmic membrane integrity of spermatozoa of Groups 1, 2 and 3 was changed significantly (30%, 87% and 76% respectively) (P < 0.05). All tested solutions can be used for vitrification of fish spermatozoa with good post-warming motility. However, cytoplasmic membrane integrity was maximal in Group 2 (CM + 1% BSA + 40% seminal plasma). In conclusion, this is the first report about successful cryoprotectant-free cryopreservation of fish spermatozoa by direct plunging into liquid nitrogen (vitrification). Vitrification of fish spermatozoa without permeable cryoprotectants is a prospective direction for investigations: these cells can be successfully vitrified with 1% BSA + 40% seminal plasma.