Xenogenic transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells in Characidae (Teleostei, Characiformes)

Abstract

Germ cell transplantation in a novel experimental approach which consists in the isolation of undifferentiated spermatogonia from the testes of a donator animal and transfer to the testis of a host one, in which they will be able to colonize and develop, forming sperm with genetic characteristics of the donor. Despite to be promising in studies of spermatogonia biology, conservation of endangered species, biology of reproduction and in the biotechnological field, its application on fish group is still scarce. Thus, it is intended do the transplant of spermatogonial stem cell of the piracanjuba Brycon orbignyanus in the tetra Astyanax altiparanae. For this, pirancanjuba´s testes will be enzymatic digested and the spermatogonia isolated and labeled following by their introduction into lambari´s testes (whose spermatogenesis will be previously suppressed), through the urogenital papilla. These species are phylogenetically related, both of them belonging to Characidae Family. A. altiparanae is spread in High Parana, Paranapanema, Tibagi and Iguaçu basin and is considered one important biological model to biotechnological studies, besides make part of the food for large fish. B. orbygnianus is spread along Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay River, in Bolivia and Amazon basin, with highlight in the national aquaculture due to the quality of its meat and appreciation to the sportive fishing, since it presents an aggressive behavior. However, nowadays Piracanjuba species is endangered. So, despite the studies in this area be recent, germ cell transplantation in fish brings great perspective to production and conservation of threatened fish species. (AU)