Caracterización y criopreservación de espermatozoides del Ajolote Mexicano Ambystoma mexicanum (Anfibia: Ambystomatidae)

Nowadays, amphibians have shown worldwide deterioration in their populations. In Mexico, the axolotl in an endemic species that has been affected. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says that it should be priority and essential in genetic material cryopreservation. This study’s aim was to determine spermatic characteristics of each spermatophore produced by different Ambystoma mexicanum specimen and possible changes that could happen when undergoing cryopreservation. Nine male axolotls were used from Biological and Aquaculture Research Center of Cuemanco (CIBAC, by its initials in Spanish). From each specimen, its morphometry and its possible correlation with the morphometry of the spermatophores produced were determined, additionally general quality of spermatozoa extracted from spermatophores was determined when fresh and thawed, finally it was determined the presence of membrane carbohydrates using lectins Triticum vulgaris agglutinin (WGA) and Arachis hipogea (PNG) conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate. Different correlations among specimens morphometry and spermatophores characteristics were recognized, highlighting the correlation between organism’s weight and the spermatophores top’s size. In spermatic evaluation, there were differences among fresh and thawed samples; being different in viability (30%) and normal morphology (20%). Spermatic concentration fluctuated from 13,000 and 29,000 spermatozoa. With the use of lectins WGA and PNA, two physiological states of spermatozoa were evident similar within fresh and thawed samples; nevertheless, there were different proportions of each physiological state. Results showed that there are different spermatozoa’s qualities and physiological states among specimens and spermatophores; also, that it is possible to maintain spermatic viability when thawed with the preservation method applied. ; Actualmente los anfibios presentan un deterioro de sus poblaciones a nivel mundial. En México el ajolote es una especie endémica que se ha visto ...