Cryopreservation of Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) Embryos for Aquaculture

Cryopreservation of fish embryos could improve the productivity of the Minnesota aquaculture industry by enabling farmers to produce a continuous supply of gametes year-round and reduce the cost of broodstock maintenance. For many species such as walleye, cryopreservation could also be an important strategy to ensure against the loss of these species due unexpected disease, reproductive failures, or invasive species. Cryopreservation of fish embryos could also enable preservation of genetic lines for research.

The two objectives of this project are:

1. to develop laser-warming enabled cryopreservation technology for Golden Shiner (fish) embryos and
2. to demonstrate a survival rate of more than 3% at Day 5 after laser warming.

For the first objective, the research project team will develop methods for microinjection of a cryoprotective agent and gold nanoparticles into the fish embryos, followed by the use of pre-cooling cryoprotectant baths. For the second objective, the research team will develop methods to rapidly cool and laser warm embryos.

Support for this project came from Minnesota Sea Grant's 2020-2022 biennial request for proposal solicitation.

• Photothermal Applications of Nanoparticles presentation. December 8, 2020. This is a joint presentation of University of Minnesota Professor and project lead John Bischof and nanoComposix.