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Title: A simple vitrification method for cryobanking avian testicular tissue

Author
item LIU, J - University Of British Columbia
item CHENG, K - University Of British Columbia
item Purdy, Phil
item SILVERSIDES, F - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2012
Publication Date: 11/1/2012
Citation: Liu, J., Cheng, K.M., Purdy, P.H., Silversides, F.G. 2012. A simple vitrification method for cryobanking avian testicular tissue. Poultry Science. 91:3209-3213.

Interpretive Summary: In prepubescent roosters it is not possible to cryopreserve sperm due to the lack of sperm production but young birds may be a very good source of germplasm for purposes of preservation of valuable genetics. A possible alternative in young roosters may be to freeze whole testes with the intent of eventually performing transplantations to produce viable sperm. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess whether vitrification of avian testicular tissue could be used as a means to preserve rooster germplasm and consequently produce viable sperm. The method explored in this research demonstrated that testicular tissue can be successfully vitrified and grafted into recipient eggs. These results are important to the poultry producers as they will enable preservation of valuable and important genetics, and a cost savings to companies by allowing for preservation of poultry lines in situ rather than in vivo if so desired.

Technical Abstract: Cryopreservation of testicular tissue is a promising method of preserving male reproductive potential for avian species. This study was conducted to assess whether a vitrification method can be used to preserve avian testicular tissue, using the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) as a model. A simple vitrification method that included dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and sucrose as cryoprotective agents, and allowed the storage of tissue in a sealed macrotube was applied to the testicular tissue from one-week old Japanese quail. The vitrified tissue was warmed at room temperature (RT) or at 40 °C. After warming, tissue was implanted onto the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of fertilized chicken eggs and the vascularization of the grafts was evaluated. When compared to fresh tissue, the tissue that had been warmed at 40 °C showed no difference in vascularization. The tissue that had been warmed at RT was significantly less vascularized than the fresh tissue. Vitrification of testicular tissue and storage in macrotubes provide a promising model for preservation and recovery of male germplasm of avian species.