Cryobanking of aquatic species

This review is focused on the applications of genome cryobanking of aquatic species including freshwater and marine fish, as well as invertebrates. It also reviews the latest advances in cryobanking of model species, widely used by the scientific community worldwide, because of their applications in several fields. The state of the art of cryopreservation of different cellular types (sperm, oocytes, embryos, somatic cells and primordial germ cells or early spermatogonia) is discussed focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure according to different applications. A special review on the need of standardization of protocols has also been carried out. In summary, this comprehensive review provides information on the practical details of applications of genome cryobanking in a range of aquatic species worldwide, including the cryobanks established in Europe, USA, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand, the species and type of cells that constitute these banks and the utilization of the samples preserved. Statement of relevance This review compiles the last advances on germplasm cryobanking of freshwater and marine fish species and invertebrates, with high value for commercial aquaculture or conservation. It is reviewed the most promising cryopreservation protocols for different cell types, embryos and larvae that could be applied in programs for genetic improvement, broodstock management or conservation of stocks to guarantee culture production.

The authors thank Dr E. Kopeika, Dr M. Flajšhans, Dr B. Dzyuba, Dr S. Rakers, Dr A. Ciereszko and Dr R. Geisler for their help in tracking the history of the European cryobanks. This work was partially funded by COST Office (Food and Agriculture COST Action FA1205: AQUAGAMETE) and projects KLING 31-03-05-FEP-73, CRIOBIV 31-03-05-FEP-59, REPLING 31-03-05-FEP-69 financed by Portuguese PROMAR program; grants AGL2011-27787, AGL2014-53167-C3-3-R and AGL2015-68330-C2-1R financed by MINECO-FEDER, Spain; NKFIH grant K109847 and 9878-3/2016/FEKUT of the Ministry of Human Resources of Hungary; French program “Investissements d'Avenir” ANR-11-INBS-0003 (CRB-Anim 2013-2019), and Creche (Ofimer 136/08/C) and CRB Anim (ANR-11-INBS-0003); National Institutes of Health of U.S. (5R24OD010441); New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (CAWX1315); Brazilian funding agencies FAPEMIG (PPM 00038-13) and CNPq (474001/2013-0); and FCT postdoctoral fellowship (SFRH/BPD/48520/2008) funded by Portuguese National Funds (MEC).

Peer reviewed