Cryopreservation of Channel Catfish Sperm: Storage in Cryoprotectants, Fertilization Trials, and Growth of Channel Catfish Produced with Cryopreserved Sperm

Abstract

Abstract We developed methods for cryopreserving sperm of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and evaluated the use of cryopreserved sperm for reproduction. Five cryoprotectants were evaluated: Methanol, glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sucrose, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. We measured the motility of sperm that had been stored at 4°C in three concentrations of cryoprotectants (5%, 10%, 15%) dissolved in a modified Hank's balanced salt solution. All cryoprotectants reduced motility within 6 h; 5% methanol and 5% DMSO caused the smallest reduction. After sperm were frozen at –80°C and stored for 2 d at –196°C, motility was highest (5–10%) in samples cryopreserved with 5% and 10% solutions of methanol. Sperm cells cryopreserved in methanol solutions (5%, 10%, and 15%) were used to fertilize channel catfish eggs from three females. Fertilization ranged from 24% to 97%, and no difference in fertilization success was found between cryopreserved sperm and untreated sperm from the same males. Growth of channel ...