Cryopreservation of Testicular Tissue from Adult Red-Rumped Agoutis (<i>Dasyprocta leporina</i> Linnaeus, 1758)
Andréia M. Silva,
Ana G. Pereira,
Luana G. P. Bezerra,
Samara S. Jerônimo Moreira,
Alexsandra F. Pereira,
Moacir F. Oliveira,
Pierre Comizzoli,
Alexandre R. Silva
Affiliations
Andréia M. Silva
Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Semiarid Region–UFERSA, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Ana G. Pereira
Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Semiarid Region–UFERSA, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Luana G. P. Bezerra
Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Semiarid Region–UFERSA, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Samara S. Jerônimo Moreira
Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Semiarid Region–UFERSA, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Alexsandra F. Pereira
Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Semiarid Region–UFERSA, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Moacir F. Oliveira
Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Semiarid Region–UFERSA, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
Pierre Comizzoli
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Veterinary Hospital, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Alexandre R. Silva
Laboratory of Animal Germplasm Conservation, Department of Animal Sciences, Federal University of Semiarid Region–UFERSA, Mossoró 59625-900, RN, Brazil
This study measured the effects of different freezing techniques and permeating cryoprotectants on the preservation of testicular tissues from adult red-rumped agoutis. Tissue biopsies (3.0 mm3) from five individuals were allocated to different experimental groups: control (non-cryopreserved); slow freezing (SF), solid-surface vitrification (SSV), and conventional vitrification (CV). Each method used dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG), or a DMSO + EG combination. Morphology, viability, mitochondrial activity, and proliferative potential were assessed in fresh and frozen tissue samples. Testicular morphology was better using SSV with a combination of DMSO and EG. Across the different cryopreservation approaches, as well as cryoprotectant combinations, cell viability was comparable. Regarding mitochondrial activity, DMSO + EG/SSV or CV, and DMSO + EG/CV were similar to the EG/SF group, which was the best group that provided values similar to fresh control groups. Adequate preservation of the proliferative potential of spermatogonia, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells was obtained using SSV with DMSO + EG. Overall, the use of SSV with DMSO + EG was the best protocol for the preservation of testicular tissues from adult red-rumped agoutis.
