Viability and DNA fragmentation of rainbow trout embryos (Oncorhynchus mykiss) obtained from eggs stored at 4 °C

• Published in: Theriogenology 2016-05, Vol.85 (8), p.1499-1506
• Main Authors: Ubilla, A., Valdebenito, I., Árias, M.E., Risopatrón, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cold Temperature; DNA; DNA Fragmentation; Embryo; Embryo Culture Techniques - veterinary; Embryo, Nonmammalian - cytology; Embryonic Development; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - veterinary; Genetic Markers; Male; Oncorhynchus mykiss - embryology; Oncorhynchus mykiss - genetics; Oocyte; Ovum - cytology; Ovum - growth & development; Rainbow trout; Storage; Viability
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.01.012

In vitro storage of salmonid eggs leads to aging of the cells causing a decline in quality and reducing their capacity to develop and produce embryos. The quality of salmonid embryos is assessed by morphologic analyses; however, data on the application of biomarkers to determine the cell viability and DNA integrity of embryos in these species are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on embryo development, viability and DNA fragmentation in the embryonic cells of in vitro storage time at 4 °C of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs. The embryos were obtained by IVF from eggs stored for 0 (control), 48, and 96 hours at 4 °C. At 72 hours after fertilization, dechorionated embryos were examined to determine percentages of developed embryos (embryos with normal cell division morphology), viability (LIVE/DEAD sperm viability kit), and DNA integrity (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TdT] dUTP nick-end labeling assay). The percentage of developing embryos decreased (P