Cryopreservation of trochophore larvae from the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria: Evaluation of the cryoprotectant toxicity, cooling rate and thawing temperature. (14th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simon, Natalie A; Yang, Huiping
• Is Part Of: Aquaculture research. Volume 49:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 2869
• Page End: 2880
• Publication Date: 2018-06-14
• Subjects: cryopreservation -- hard clams -- Mercenaria mercenaria -- trochophore larvae; Aquaculture -- Periodicals; Fishery management -- Periodicals; 639.8
• DOI: 10.1111/are.13752
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-557X

Abstract

Abstract: Aquaculture of hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria is a $65 million industry along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico coast in the United States. The goal of this study was to develop a preliminary protocol to cryopreserve trochophore larvae of hard clams. The objectives were to evaluate the: 1) toxicity of cryoprotectants, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and glycerol, at 5, 10, 15 and 20% for exposure time of 1, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 min; 2) effects of cooling rates (5, 10, 20 and 30°C/min for the first trial; and 1, 3 and 5°C/min for second trial from 4 to −80°C), thawing temperature (30, 40 and 50°C) and their interactions on post‐thaw viability. A basic protocol was concluded as: 15‐hr trochophore larvae mixed with DMSO or propylene glycol (5, 10%), equilibrated for 15 min, cooled in a programmable freezer from 4 to −80°C at a cooling rate of 5°C/min and thawed at 50°C for 6 s. With this protocol, the immediate post‐thaw trochophore survival was 23 ± 14%, and survival to D‐stage was 27 ± 14%. This is the first report on larval cryopreservation in the hard clam and would have application for genetic breeding and seed production.