Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Vance, Carrie

Committee Member

Kouba, Andrew

Committee Member

Peterson, Daniel

Committee Member

Williams, Dean

Date of Degree

8-7-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 1 year

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Agriculture Life Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition and Health Promotion

Abstract

Sperm cryopreservation is an important tool within the suite of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as it enables long-term storage of genetically valuable gametes. However, knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for assessing sperm quality and the genetic consequences of using cryopreserved sperm in amphibians is limited. This gap has raised concerns in captive breeding and reintroduction programs regarding the potential impact that cryopreserved sperm and the derived embryos may have on a population. The thesis aims to investigate how sperm cryopreservation affects the genetic material in both sperm and resulting embryos, with implications for in situ and ex situ amphibian populations. Specific objectives include measuring DNA integrity across common and novel cryoprotectant solutions, evaluating an RNA isolation protocol for a single amphibian embryo, and assessing relative gene expression of bone morphogenic protein 4 (bmp4) in embryos produced from cryopreserved sperm to evaluate developmental impacts.

Sponsorship (Optional)

6066-31320-017-000D, MG-251614-OMS-22, Strategic Research Initiative: Winter is coming: Does the cryopreservation of gametes induce epigenetic effects?

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