Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh krioprotektan yang berbeda dalam kriopreservasi embrio terhadap persentase kerusakan dan penetasan embrio ikan lele dumbo (Clarias gariepinus). Embrio ikan lele pada fase gastrula diberi perlakuan larutan dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol (PG), madu, dan kombinasinya dengan konsentrasi 5% untuk masing-masing perlakuan. Embrio disimpan pada suhu 4 dan 0ºC, masing-masing selama 30 menit, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, dan 6 jam. Thawing embrio dilakukan pada suhu 28ºC. Selanjutnya, embrio diinkubasi dalam akuarium pada suhu 28ºC. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perbedaan krioprotektan dalam kriopreservasi embrio fase gastrula memberikan perbedaan kerusakan dan penetasan embrio ikan lele pada lama waktu penyimpanan yang berbeda. Persentase kerusakan embrio meningkat seiring dengan lama waktu penyimpanan dan suhu penyimpanan yang berbeda. Kombinasi larutan krioprotektan DMSO dan madu serta PG dan madu menunjukkan persentase kerusakan embrio yang lebih rendah dan persentase penetasan embrio yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan perlakuan krioprotektan lainnya (p<0,05).

This study was aimed to observe the effect of cryopreservation on gastrula-staged embryo of African catfish. The gastrula-staged embryos were treated 5% (v/v) solutions concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide, propylene glycol, honey, and combined cryoprotectants, respectively and preserved at temperatures of -4 and -196ºC (in liquid nitrogen) for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, and 6 h, respectively. Thawing of embryos was conducted in freshwater at temperature of 28ºC. After thawing, the embryos were incubated in the aquaria at 28ºC temperature. The result showed that the cryopreservation of gastrula-staged embryo at temperatures of -4 and -196ºC affects damage and hatching percentages of African catfish embryos. The percentage of catfish embryo damage increases with the length of preservation at temperature of -4ºC for all treatments. A combination of DMSO+honey and PG+honey has the lowest damage percentage and the highest hatching rate of catfish embryo compared to other treatments (p<0.05). Meanwhile, total embryo damage occurs since the first 30 min of preservation at temperature of -196ºC for all treatments. Cryoprotectant toxicity and inability to protect the embryo are thought to be a cause of damage and death of catfish embryos on preservation, especially at temperature of -196ºC.