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Topic:Mitochondria
Mitochondria are organelles found in the cells of horses that are responsible for producing energy through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. They play a role in various cellular functions, including energy metabolism, regulation of the cell cycle, and apoptosis. Mitochondria contain their own DNA, which is maternally inherited and can provide insights into genetic lineage and population studies in equines. Research on equine mitochondria encompasses topics such as mitochondrial function, genetic variation, and their implications for health and performance. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the structure, function, and genetic aspects of mitochondria in horses.
Effects of the Freezing Diluent Tonicity and Prefreezing Cooling Rates on Post-Thaw Sperm Quality Markers in the Pure-Bred Arabian Stallion. Stallion semen cryopreservation remains limited by inconsistent post-thaw sperm quality and fertility. This study evaluated the effects of freezing extender effective tonicity and prefreezing cooling rate on post-thaw sperm characteristics in pure-bred Arabian stallions. In a two-phase design, ejaculates ( = 40) from 10 stallions were processed using extenders with different osmotic conditions (330, 390, and 450 mOsm/kg) and subjected to cooling durations of 45 min, 1.5 h, or 3 h. Sperm quality was assessed using CASA, functional assays, flow cytometry, transcriptomic analysis, and...
The Effect of Different Extenders and Testicular Anaesthesia During Orchiectomy on Post-Thawed Spermatological Parameters of Stallion Epididymal Spermatozoa. Cryopreservation of epididymal stallion spermatozoa is a valuable tool for fertility preservation, particularly after orchiectomy. However, the potential interactions between local anaesthesia and extender composition on post-thaw spermatozoal quality remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of intratesticular lidocaine injection and the efficacy of various extender (egg yolk [EY] vs. lecithin [LC]) and cryoprotectant (glycerol [GLY] vs. dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]) combinations on stallion epididymal spermatological parameters. Using a paired factorial design, epididymal s...
Combined effects of pre-freeze cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin and post-thaw pentoxifylline on the functional longevity of cryopreserved stallion sperm. Cryopreservation causes structural and metabolic damage to stallion spermatozoa, impairing post-thaw functional competence. Objective: This study evaluated whether cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) supplementation before freezing, combined with pentoxifylline (PTX) after thawing, improves the functional quality, oxidative status, mitochondrial activity, and preliminary fertility outcomes of cryopreserved stallion semen. Methods: Semen from twelve stallions was assigned to four CLC concentrations (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg), frozen, thawed, and divided into subgroups with or without PTX supplemen...
Histone deacetylase inhibition alters mRNA expression of cell cycle- and senescence-associated genes in primary equine chondrocytes. Cellular senescence is a biological state of a cell that triggers inflammation and gradually contributes to pathological conditions. Unlike programmed cell death, prolonged inhibition of cell division induces a metabolic state in senescent cells, in which they release pro-inflammatory factors that drive inflammation affecting the tissue microenvironment. Along with prolonged excessive mechanical stress, low-grade inflammation raised by senescent chondrocytes may contribute to articular cartilage defects, which are prevalent in ageing populations. Moreover, the use of chemotherapeutics used to ...
The Transcriptomic and Proteomic Molecular Signatures of Equine Multiple-System Neuropathy (Grass Sickness). Equine grass sickness (EGS or equine dysautonomia) is a predominantly fatal multi-system neuropathy affecting grazing horses, likely caused by a neurotoxic phospholipase A2 (nPLA2) derived from a plant or microorganism. We studied neuronal tissue gene and protein expression patterns in EGS to elucidate the possible mechanisms of neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Tissue from the cranial cervical ganglion of eight EGS horses and six controls was examined histologically and used for transcriptomic analysis. These transcriptomic data were compared with previously published EGS-related proteomic...
Sperm Energy-restriction and Recovery (SER) enhances equine sperm function and embryo development after ICSI. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are extensively used in domestic animal reproduction; however, improving their efficiency and consistency remains a major challenge for achieving reliable reproductive outcomes. The equine industry faces unique challenges related to sperm capacitation, which limited the success of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) for many years. Consequently, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) became the most widely used technique for commercial in vitro embryo production. Even though a successful IVF protocol was recently developed, substantial opportunit...
Mitochondrial DNA reveals high maternal diversity within a weak breed structure in native Kazakhstani horses. Understanding the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of domestic horses () is essential for reconstructing their population dynamics and origins. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA variation (COI and cytb) in six Kazakhstani horse populations representing four native breeds (Kazakh, Kostanay, Adai, and Mugalzhar) to assess genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships within a broader phylogenetic framework. High haplotype diversity combined with low nucleotide diversity revealed population expansion and admixture. Population structure analyses revea...
Thoroughbred horses susceptible to Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis have elevated skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacities. Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER) is a skeletal muscle disease that can intermittently impede careers of equine athletes. Manifesting as episodes of muscular stiffness and degeneration, RER causes lost training and competition days. RER is associated with abnormal intracellular calcium (Ca) regulation. Calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to initiate contraction may also be transported into mitochondria, which impacts energy production. RER-susceptible horses exhibit down-regulated mitochondrial proteins but upregulated mitochondrial genes. Thus, mitochondrial function may ...
Redefining stallion sperm bioenergetics: lessons from a decade of change in mammalian sperm metabolism. In brief: Sperm bioenergetics is now understood as an integrated system in which ATP production, redox homeostasis, substrate availability, and cellular heterogeneity jointly determine sperm function. This review uses the stallion as an oxidative-biased model to synthesize advances from 2016 to 2026 and proposes a metabolically plastic framework with direct implications for semen preservation and fertility assessment. Abstract: Over the last decade, mammalian sperm metabolism has moved from a binary view centered on glycolysis versus oxidative phosphorylation to an integrated model in which AT...
Mitochondrial Adaptations to Exercise Training in Equine Skeletal Muscle: A Narrative Review. The horse represents one of the most physiologically specialized athletic mammals, capable of sustaining both high-intensity and prolonged exercise. Central to this remarkable performance capacity is the metabolic adaptability of skeletal muscle and its mitochondrial network. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence from equine, human, and rodent studies on exercise-induced mitochondrial remodeling in equine skeletal muscle. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using terms related to equine exercise physiology, mitochondrial biolog...
Extinct Dalian horse as a genetic bridge between Late Pleistocene North American and Eurasian equids. Pleistocene caballine horses exhibited considerable genetic diversity and maintained broad population connectivity across their range. The extinct Dalian horse (Equus dalianensis) from northeastern China likely contributed to this network. Here, we sequenced 20 complete mitochondrial and two nuclear genomes, establishing the Dalian horse as a distinct genetic clade within Northeast Eurasian caballines and extending its known geographic distribution. Ancestry component analyses revealed a distinctive component of Eastern Beringian (E-EBer), i.e. American ancestry in Dalian horses, absent from o...
Theileria equi sensu lato genetic diversity and phylogeny: new insights from mitochondrion, apicoplast and nucleus multilocus gene analysis. Equine piroplasmosis is a significant tick-borne disease with a global distribution. Among the two causative agents, Theileria equi has undergone numerous taxonomic reclassifications over time, reflecting advances in our understanding of its biology, molecular characteristics, and phylogenetic relationships. Formerly named Babesia equi, now classified in the Equus group apart from Babesia and Theileria species, its genus name will again certainly change. The genetic diversity also within T. equi lead to the renaming of one lineage as Theileria haneyi. Theileria equi should better now be consid...
Genetic diversity of Dermacentor nitens (Acari: Ixodidae) collected on horses from western Cuba. The tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens Neumann, 1897, has a wide distribution throughout the Neotropics, and is a vector of protozoan haemoparasites that cause equine piroplasmosis. Despite this, little is known about the genetic diversity of this tick species, particularly in Cuba, where horses are important domestic animals used in agriculture and for transportation. The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of genetic variation in 115 D. nitens adults (57 females and 58 males) collected from horses in the Cuban province of Mayabeque using sequence data of two mitochondria...
Mitochondrial dysfunction in equine ageing: Current evidence and clinical implications for geroscience. Ageing is a complex biological process affecting a growing geriatric human and equine population worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered one of the hallmarks of ageing, representing a multifaceted process. This review synthesises current findings on mitochondrial dysfunction in aged equines, drawing parallels with human medicine and identifying current knowledge gaps. Integrating findings from human and equine research may bridge existing challenges and offer new opportunities, including the development of novel translational models for ageing research. Furthermore, it highlights th...
Oral docosahexaenoic acid supplementation alters alveolar macrophage metabolism and protein and lipid profiles in the lower airway of healthy horses. To determine the impact of a commercially available docosahexaeonic acid (DHA) supplement (DHA, methylslfonylmethane, and mushroom blend) on equine alveolar macrophage metabolism and lipid and protein profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant. Unassigned: This was a prospective, sequential, placebo-controlled study using 10 healthy adult horses. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected at baseline, following 45 days of oral placebo administration, and following 45 days of oral commercially available DHA supplement, with a 14-day washout. Whole blood was collected following placebo...
Hyperactivation and Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Cryopreserved Stallion Spermatozoa in Relation to Conventional In Vitro Fertilization Blastocyst Production. Challenges in establishing clinical conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) in horses include variation in sperm and oocyte quality, which can be affected by mare age. Extended preincubation of stallion spermatozoa has resulted in successful IVF. However, there is limited research on the impact of preincubation on sperm characteristics and IVF success. Objective: Responses of frozen-thawed stallion spermatozoa over time under IVF preincubation conditions were evaluated, and samples based on specific responses were tested for their ability to fertilize oocytes, including those from older mare...
Membrane and mitochondrial antioxidants improve post-thaw functional quality of stallion spermatozoa. Cryopreservation of stallion semen induces oxidative stress that compromises sperm motility, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function. Given the high mitochondrial reliance of equine spermatozoa and their susceptibility to oxidative damage, compartment-specific antioxidant strategies may improve post-thaw functional resilience. This study evaluated the effects of astaxanthin, a membrane-active carotenoid, and MitoTEMPO, a mitochondria-targeted superoxide scavenger, on the functional and oxidative status of frozen-thawed stallion spermatozoa. Ejaculates from nine stallions were cryopreser...
Multiple strategies, one mission: mesenchymal stromal cell-based mechanisms of action in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a cross-species, multifactorial joint disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, morphological remodeling of the subchondral bone, and inflammatory and fibrotic changes of the joint capsule. These alterations arise from chronic, often subclinical, inflammatory processes and dysregulated cellular homeostasis, leading to profound shifts in the cellular and extracellular composition of the joint organ. Although the mechanisms driving persistent inflammation are only partially understood, their impact on all joint-associated tissues is well...
Targeted metabolomics reveals the impact of glucose and pyruvate on energy metabolism and storage potential of stallion spermatozoa. Oxidative phosphorylation is the main source of ATP for the stallion spermatozoa. Consequently, metabolites that favor mitochondrial function are receiving increased interest. However, glycolysis itself may be the major source of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA. Objective: To determine the contribution of glycolysis to feed the tricarboxylic acid cycle to generate the reducing equivalents for the electron transport chain. Methods: We stored stallion spermatozoa in the presence of different concentrations of glucose and pyruvate (1mM glucose /1mM pyruvate, 1mM glucose /10 mM pyruvate, 40 mM glucose / 1...
Are antioxidants hindering stallion sperm capacitation? A perspective on hidden barriers to equine IVF success. Heavy use of antioxidants in equine in vitro fertilisation (IVF) media may suppress the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals stallion sperm need for capacitation, which depends on high mitochondrial activity and a well-maintained endogenous redox homeostasis. A species-specific approach balancing oxidative protection with controlled ROS signalling could improve fertilisation efficiency and reduce prolonged incubation times.
Characterization of isolated late preantral and early antral equine ovarian follicles. Understanding how to effectively isolate a large number of healthy follicles is essential for increasing success rates in ARTs, such as in vitro culture and cryopreservation. Late secondary (preantral) and early tertiary (antral) follicles isolated from the intermediary portion of equine ovarian tissue sliced at two different thicknesses (0.25 mm vs. 0.50 mm) were characterized according to regional distribution (dorsal, medial, and ventral), morphofunctional features, and epigenetic profiles. After isolation via microdissection, follicles were evaluated for membrane integrity (trypan blue), v...
Sequencing and Analysis of mtDNA Genomes from the Teeth of Early Medieval Horses in Poland. This study presents the sequencing and analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes from nine early medieval horse remains excavated across archaeological sites in Silesia region in present day Poland. Methods: Using aDNA extraction protocols optimized for short fragments, combined with target enrichment and high-throughput sequencing, we reconstructed partial mtDNA sequences for seven of the specimens. Results: The authenticity of the aDNA was confirmed through damage pattern analysis. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that the specimens belonged to six distinct mtDNA lineages (B, D, E, G...
Endurance exercise induces distinct skeletal and cardiac mitochondrial adaptations in racehorses. Mitochondrial respiration sustains the high energy demands of endurance exercise, yet the extent to which atrial, ventricular, and skeletal muscle mitochondria adapt remains uncertain. At the same time, endurance athletes face an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the role of cardiac metabolism in arrhythmia susceptibility is poorly understood. Here, we compared mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle and across all four cardiac chambers between trained and untrained racehorses ( = 34) to investigate adaptations associated with long-term endurance exercise. We further examine...
Niacin Improves Cryopreserved Equine Sperm Quality and Gene Expression: An Artificial Intelligence Assisted Evaluation. Niacin acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage. This study evaluated the effects of adding niacin to the equine semen freezing extender on sperm quality and gene expression after cryopreservation. Ejaculates from ten stallions were frozen using the INRA 96 extender (control) or extenders supplemented with 10- and 20-mM niacin. After thawing, sperm were analysed for motility, kinematics, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential, lipid peroxidation, nitrite, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations, DNA integrity, ...
Myo-Inositol Nano-Emulsion for Enhancing Stallion Chilled Semen: Insights from In Vivo and In Silico Analyses of Sperm Quality, Oxidative Stress, Ultrastructure, Mitochondrial Response, and Semen Bacteriology. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to male infertility. Therefore, fortifying assisted reproductive technology with nanotechnology could enhance sperm preservation. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of myo-inositol nano-emulsion (MINE) supplementation in semen extender on sperm quality, redox balance, semen bacteriology, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and acrosome status of chilled stallion semen. Methods: Semen samples were collected and preserved with 0 (MINE0), 1 (MINE1), and 2 (MINE2) mg of MINE/mL of extender. Results: Results revealed that extender fortified with 1 or 2 ...
Single-cell metabolic profiling of stallion spermatozoa by flow cytometry using NADH and FAD autofluorescence†. The metabolic activity of stallion spermatozoa was assessed using flow cytometry to detect NAD(P)H and FAD fluorescence without labels. Sperm were incubated with different energy sources-glucose, lactate, and pyruvate-individually or combined, and measurements of NAD(P)H, FAD, NAD(P)H/FAD ratio, and optical redox ratio (ORR) were taken. Additionally, a metabolic assay based on resazurin reduction and flow cytometry detection was developed. Changes in NAD(P)H and FAD fluorescence, the NAD(P)H/FAD ratio, and ORR were observed. The NAD(P)H/FAD ratio increased significantly, especially when glucos...
Mitochondrial genome assembly of the Peruvian Paso horse through PacBio long-read sequencing. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Peruvian Paso Horse was assembled using PacBio HiFi long reads, resulting in a high-quality circular genome of 16,617 bp comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region. Nucleotide composition and gene structure were consistent with other equine mitogenomes. Codon usage analysis revealed a bias toward CUA (Leu), AUA and AUC (Ile), suggesting translational optimization. Thirty-five heteroplasmic variants were identified, predominantly located in RNA genes (12 S rRNA and tRNA-Phe), with allele frequencies between 0.10 and 0.6...
Impact of dietary essential fatty acids on phospholipid composition and mitochondrial function in aged mares. Advancing age is associated with a decline in fertility and functional capacity, which may result in part from suboptimal nutrition and impaired mitochondrial function. Dietary essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are broadly recommended to mitigate weight loss and reduce risk of chronic disease in aged populations, but their effects on mitochondrial function are less clear. The present study investigated the impacts of dietary supplementation with essential omega-3 PUFA (flaxseed oil; N3) or omega-6 PUFA (corn oil, N6) on blood, muscle and follicular cell fatty acid composition and mi...
Metformin Protects Against Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in an Equine Model. Horses are one of the few animals that spontaneously develop atrial fibrillation (AF), making them a powerful model for studying AF mechanisms and treatment effects. Despite the initial effectiveness of treatment in horses and humans, AF-induced atrial remodeling compromises its long-term success. Observational studies have suggested that metformin may reduce the risk of AF, but its effects on progressive AF-induced atrial remodeling have yet to be evaluated in a high-fidelity large animal model. Unassigned: Here, we used a longitudinal horse model of tachypacing-induced self-sustained AF to c...
L-Carnitine supplementation to the stallion semen extender attenuates the cryopreservation induced oxidative stress and ameliorates sperm functional attributes. The current study evaluated the effect of L-Carnitine supplementation to the stallion semen extender on pre-freeze and post-thaw semen quality and oxidative parameters in Marwari breed stallions. Methods: For this purpose, thirty-six semen ejaculates (6 ejaculates from each stallion) were collected using an artificial vagina (AV) from six adult Marwari stallions. The gel free semen was extended with different concentrations of L-Carnitine (LC) i.e. 0 mM (control), 2.5 mM (T1), 5 mM (T2) and 10 mM (T3). Pre-freeze and post-thaw semen evaluations were conducted for various seminal attributes and...
