Embryonic stage selection for cryopreservation of the silkworm Bombyx mori and the effects of cryopreservation on embryo tissues

Successful cryopreservation of the important silkworm bioresource, Bombyx mori, is essential. In this study, we aimed for successful cryopreservation using vitrification of silkworm embryos. Furthermore, the embryos were assessed for the most appropriate sampling stage. We found that vitrified embryos developed to the serosa ingestion stage when they were vitrified at embryonic stage 24–25. The most suitable stage for vitrification was around a 5–10 h period when the tracheal fibers were elongating in stage 25. None of the vitrified embryos developed into larvae, although some did develop to the pre-hatching stage. From histological analysis, we found that several small cracks formed on the cuticle covering the hypodermis in the vitrified embryos. Additionally, the midgut epithelium was detached from the midgut wall and mixed with the yolk in the midgut lumen. We speculate that the vitrified embryos died from a rapid loss of body water from the small cracks formed in the cuticle. We also suggest that the vitrified embryos may have resulted in dysfunction of the midgut.