Cryopreservation of sperm in marine fish

TLDR

Fish sperm cryopreservation has been attempted on about 30 marine species since 1953, with most extenders being saline or sugar solutions. The paper reviews techniques and results of marine fish sperm cryopreservation across species. The review examines handling procedures before freezing, issues of semen ageing and urine contamination, and evaluates frozen–thawed semen quality with standardized biotests including a two‑step motility activation technique and discriminating insemination fertilization assays. Dimethyl sulphoxide yields the best cryoprotectant results, with cooling rates of 8–99 °C min⁻¹ and high thawing rates; marine fish sperm survive cryopreservation at higher rates than freshwater species, making the technique simple and suitable for aquaculture.

Abstract

Since the first work of Blaxter in 1953, fish sperm cryopreservation has been attempted on about 30 marine species. The present paper reviews the techniques used and the results published in these species. Particular attention is paid to the handling procedure of sperm before freezing, the problems of semen ageing and semen contamination with urine. The quality of frozen–thawed semen was evaluated using previously standardized biotests, such as a two-step motility activation technique adapted for the different species and fertilization assays using a discriminating insemination technique. Most extenders used in marine fish are saline or sugar solutions. From the investigated cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) generally leads to the best results. Cooling rates range from 8 °C to 99 °C min−1; the thawing rate is generally high. Compared with freshwater species, a high percentage of spermatozoa survives cryopreservation. Therefore, and because of the simplicity of the techniques, the cryopreservation of marine fish sperm is suited for application in aquaculture.