The Ins and Outs of Aquatic Mammal Tissue Culture Establishment for Colombian Species. A First-Time Approach

Abstract

Cell cultures can be used as model systems of tissues, organs, or even entire animals for an almost unlimited quantity of tests, which can be done whenever necessary and under very precise and controlled conditions. Hence, aquatic mammals cell cultures can become a multifunctional instrument in the study of whole animals (Boroda et al., 2020). Implementing, aquatic mammals cell culture banks in Colombia represents a huge opportunity to improve aquatic mammal investigation and conservation, opening doors for more directed research. In this study we aimed to stablish viable Colombian aquatic mammal cell cultures useful for future research based on a literature review. This methodology included sample collection, transport, sample processing, tissue cryopreservation and tissue culture establishment. Isolated cells from humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) were obtained, and cell survival was observed but no confluency. Factors such as sample quality, transport duration, enzymatic digestion, among others, might have had a negative influence on the development of the cultures. In conclusion, aquatic mammals cell cultures were established but optimal cell growth was not observed. Further investigation is necessary to understand these possible interactions and improve the viability of the cultures, to be able to use them in the research and conservation of Colombian aquatic mammals.