Non-programmable cryopreservation of sperm from industrial-farmed Murray cod (Maccullochella p peelii)

Abstract The high price of larvae is a major constraint for the expansion of Murray cod (Maccullochella p peelii) aquaculture. Sperm cryopreservation creates a ready supply of sperm for the production of larvae, reduces the number of males required by hatcheries and contributes to preserving desirable genetic traits for breeding programmes. For hatchery application, there is a requirement for easy-to-implement cryopreservation protocols. Important factors for the development of a practical non-programmable sperm cryopreservation method for industrial-farmed Murray cod were evaluated. The results showed that Murray cod sperm can be successfully cryopreserved using dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), propylene glycol (PG) and methanol (MeOH) as cryoprotectant additives (CPAs). In 0.5 mL straws, 10% PG proved to be the most effective CPA (post-thaw motility 75 ± 7%), followed by 10% MeOH (62 ± 7%). At the same time, in 2 mL cryovials, 10% PG was significantly more effective than 10% MeOH at three chosen heights (P