Celiotomy to collect spermatogonial stem cells in Brycon orbignyanus for species preservation

Surgical techniques in aquatic species are underdeveloped, despite these species comprising a significant superclass among vertebrates. In the context of species preservation, studies involving the use of reproductive tissues typically involve the euthanasia of donors. Thus, in animals at high risk of extinction, the practice of sacrificing them presents a point of contradiction between ex situ conservation efforts. The objective of this study was to compare the viability of spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs) collected from Brycon orbignyanus using conventional methods (euthanasia) versus a surgical procedure. Lateral celiotomy was performed on 27 immatures males to obtain a portion of gonadal tissue. The fish were divided into three groups (n=9), with each group receiving polyglactin 910, polyester, or catgut sutures, respectively, for celiorrhaphy. Dermorraphy was performed using nylon sutures in all groups. A. An additional euthanasia group consisted of nine animals exposed to 20 mg/L of propofol. The survival rate over a 48-hour period was 100% for the polyglactin 910 group and 77.7% for the polyester and catgut groups. Additionally, the viability of SSCs was similar between the euthanasia and surgical procedures. The lateral celiotomy technique is feasible for obtaining SSCs in fish with laterally compressed anatomy, such as B. orbignyanus. Additionally, the technique allows the preservation of SSCs as a model for endangered fish species.