Cryobanking for species conservation.

An Introduction

Cryobanking (i.e. the preservation of biological materials at very low temperatures for use in reproductive technology [YD, 2012]), was first introduced for use in the livestock industry as early as 1949 in France. Technological advances continued to develop throughout the 1950s and 60s. The first commercial human semen cryobank was established in the 1970s in the United States (CBS, 2012). Cryopreservation for non-domestic animal species is still considered to be emerging due to the fact that they are not widely practiced; there is limited knowledge of the reproductive biology of many species, and few have been tested (Pukazhenthi, et. al., 2006).

Preserving tissue requires blocking intracellular functions, while maintaining the physiochemical structure of the cell (CBS, 2012). Decreasing temperature slows down cellular activity and eventually stops it entirely (CBS, 2012). All types of life forms have various sensitivity and resistance to cold. Freezing biological material can be very arduous. Sudden cooling can damage cells due to ice crystallization both inside and outside of the cell membrane; causing changes in the overall physical environment of the cell (CBS, 2012). In addition, dehydration can occur due to increased salt levels that rise when water freezes (CBS, 2012). Another impediment that can occur by lowering temperatures too quickly is thermal shock. Thermal shock can occur even with the absence of crystals [i.e. at +15°C] (CBS, 2012). These effects can be alleviated through the use of cryoprotective agents, slower cooling methods and preconditioning the cells in a high salt medium (CBS, 2012). All cells have a dehydration threshold and cannot tolerate losing their baseline water content (CBS, 2012).

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References:

CBS (Cryo Bio Systems), 2012. Online. Available at: http://www.cryobiosystem-imv.com/Portals/3/PDF/Monograph.pdf 

Pukazhenthi, B., Cinuzzoli, P., Travis, A., and Wildt, D., 2006. Applications of emerging technologies to the study of conservation of threatened and endangered species. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. V. 18. Pp.77-90. Online. Available from Science Direct. 

 YD (Your Dictionary), 2012. Online. Available at: http://medical.yourdictionary.com/cryobank