cryopreservation

Hypothermic storage of amphibian oocytes. How long can ovulated oocytes of the common frog Rana temporaria (Ranidae, Amphibia) be stored?

Currently, there is an unacceptably high rate of decline in the biodiversity of vertebrates, and, first of all, amphibians. This situation requires emergency measures to save the endangered species of these animals. One of such measures is the development of assisted reproductive technologies, including cryopreservation and cryobanking of reproductive cells (sperm and oocytes). However, cryopreservation technologies, successfully used for banking sperm, have not yet been adapted for cryobanking amphibian oocytes.

New Approaches to Collecting Reproductive Material from Amphibians for its Use in Artificial Fertilization

This paper describes new methods for obtaining viable ovulated oocytes and testicular sperm from the carcasses of females and males of the common frog Rana temporaria, stored at +4ºС for 1–7 days. In addition, a new approach to delayed collection (1 to 30 days) of ovulated oocytes from live female frogs of the same species is given. Part of the frog testicular spermatozoa is shown to retain motility (21.0±1.5%) and fertilizing ability (13.2±1.9%) even after 6 days of storage at +4°C in the carcasses of males.