Preliminary investigation to determine the cytotoxicity of various cryoprotectants on southern African abalone (Haliotis midae) embryos.

Cryopreservation could provide stock quantities of embryos for transgenic research. This study aimed to determine the least toxic cryoprotective agent for Haliotis midae embryos. They were exposed for 30min to concentrations varying from 5% to 20% of the following cryopreservatives: methanol (MET), polyethylene glycol (PEG), dimethyl sulfoxide (ME(2)SO) and glycerol (GLY). In contrast to cryopreservation studies done in other molluscs, PEG showed the least toxicity to H. midae embryos in concentrations ranging from 5% to 15%. MET was also less toxic than ME(2)SO and GLY at correlating concentrations. GLY showed the most toxic effects with most embryos dead or abnormal at concentrations above 15%.