Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2019

Abstract

The cryopreservation of genetic material can be an important tool for researchers and others involved with imperiled fishes, wild fisheries, aquaculture, and biomedical research. The standardization and reliable collection of diverse, high-quality samples are persistent challenges to the successful cryopreservation of aquatic species. The overall goal of this study was to work with different user groups, cryopreserving sperm on-site at their facilities to evaluate the uses and challenges of a mobile laboratory with high-throughput and quality control capabilities comparable to those of a specialized central facility. The objectives were to demonstrate the collection and cryopreservation of sperm from (1) large-bodied freshwater Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus for aquaculture; (2) small-bodied freshwater swordtails and platyfishes Xiphophorus spp. for biomedical research and repository development for gametes from imperiled species; and (3) saltwater Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus for wild fisheries research. Over the course of this project, the mobile laboratory traveled more than 4,000 km, collecting germplasm from more than 650 male fish. A total of 137 Blue Catfish were processed in 2015 and 2016, yielding 6,146 0.5-mL French straws. A total of 521 males from 11 different species in the genus Xiphophorus were processed over 4 d in 2015, yielding 488 0.25-mL French straws. Lastly, a total of 17 Red Snapper males were processed during 2015, yielding 316 0.5-mL French straws. This study documents the development of a mobile cryopreservation laboratory with high-throughput capability for aquatic species. If mobile laboratories prove to be effective, user groups will no longer be limited to germplasm resources that can be shipped as samples or transported as live animals to a central cryopreservation facility. Mobile laboratories would thus create opportunities to collect higher-quality germplasm and provide access to new species. Also, they would enable direct cooperation, including training, among a wide variety of user groups for numerous applications.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

North American Journal of Aquaculture

First Page

349

Last Page

363

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