Early steps of cryopreservation of day one honeybee (Apis mellifera) embryos treated with low-frequency sonophoresis

Honeybees, major providers of pollination, are endangered in many areas. Embryo cryopreservation may be a very useful tool to maintain their genetic diversity. However, it is complex in insects, because embryos are chill sensitive and are surrounded by two protectant membranes, the chorion and vitelline. These membranes prevent penetration of cryoprotectant in the embryos. This study aimed to test different conditions of embryo preparation before cryopreservation, including low-frequency sonophoresis, a physical method of permeabilization, and passages through cryoprotectant solutions. Apis mellifera ligustica embryos were collected in artificial cell plugs 7.5 h after queens had been caged, in two different seasons (winter, spring) and were then incubated in vitro overnight (16.5 h). Embryos were individually sonicated and then incubated in three cryoprotectant baths (B1 = 10%, B2 = 20% and B3 = 40% of cryoprotectant) and quenched in liquid nitrogen. Artificial cell plugs and in vitro incubation device were efficient in producing future embryos hatching. Embryos stained ruby red with rhodamine B after sonophoresis treatment indicated that low-frequency ultrasound had permeabilized embryos. According to the treatment, different significant hatching rates were obtained after sonophoresis (up to 25%). After three cryoprotectant incubations, best hatching rates were obtained after 10 min in B1 and B2, and 40 s in B3. These results show that sonophoresis is an efficient tool to permeabilize the chorion and vitelline membrane of the day one honeybee embryo allowing a hatching rate of more than 20%. They also show that the season is an important variability factor.