Cryopreservation of sperm from the brain coral Diploria labyrinthiformis as a strategy to face the loss of corals in the Caribbean

Published source details Grosso-Becerra M.V., Mendoza-Quiroz S., Maldonado E. & Banaszak A.T. (2021) Cryopreservation of sperm from the brain coral Diploria labyrinthiformis as a strategy to face the loss of corals in the Caribbean. Coral Reefs, 40, 937-950.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Cultivate corals in an ex-situ nursery Action Link

Cultivate corals in an ex-situ nursery

A replicated, controlled study in 2017–2020 in a laboratory near Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, Mexico (Grosso-Becerra et al. 2021) found that corals Diploria labyrinthiformis could be cultivated in an ex-situ setting and 68–88% survived for at least two weeks, with some variation due to whether previously frozen or fresh sperm was used for fertilization. On average, post-settlement polyp survival varied from 76–88% when fertilized with frozen sperm to 68% when fresh sperm was used. The percentage of eggs that yielded swimming larvae was lower for sperm frozen for 30 minutes or 12–13 months (22–26%) compared to fresh sperm (53%), but similar for sperm frozen for one month (40%). Authors present additional results on sperm motility, fertilization and settlement (see paper for details). In 2017 and 2018, egg/sperm bundles were collected from the reef and transported to the laboratory. Eggs and sperm were separated, and sperm were frozen at -80°C for 30 minutes, one month, 12 months or 13 months before being thawed out. Fresh eggs were fertilized with either sperm that had been frozen, or fresh sperm. Resulting larvae were placed in 2-L containers with a settlement substrate (1:2 mixture of white cement and sea sand). The number of eggs that developed into larvae was monitored. Post-settlement survival was assessed after two weeks.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)