Activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase and lipid peroxidation intensity in stallion semen during storage at 5 degrees C.
Abstract: Sperm cell membranes are susceptible to peroxidative damage by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidative defence systems consisting of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) physiologically control the balance between ROS production and neutralization. In the present study the hypothesis was tested that lipid peroxidation occurs during storage of semen at 5 degrees C and that semen extender has positive effects on the antioxidative potential of equine semen. The aim of the study was to determine the activity of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation in native semen and after addition of extender, cooling and storage. Semen was collected from fertile Shetland stallions. In experiment 1, activity of antioxidative enzymes was determined immediately after semen collection and after 24 h storage at 5 degrees C. Enzyme activities were measured in native semen, semen diluted with semen extender, spermatozoa resuspended after centrifugation in extender and 0.9% NaCl as well as in undiluted and extender-diluted seminal plasma. In experiment 2, TBARS concentrations were analysed during storage of semen at 5 degrees C for 24 h. Semen storage for 24 h at 5 degrees C did not change activity of the examined enzymes. Antioxidative activity was significantly higher in extended than in native semen as well as in extended plasma than in undiluted plasma. In conclusion, the addition of semen extender increases the antioxidative activity in seminal plasma of stallions. Basal antioxidative activity in native semen as well as increased activity in extended semen are maintained over 24 h storage at 5 degrees C. TBARS content did not increase during semen storage. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation does not increase substantially during semen storage. The enzymatic antioxidative activity in semen apparently prevents ROS formation and is further increased by addition of semen extender.
Publication Date: 2005-02-24 PubMed ID: 15725443DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.07.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the effects of storing stallion semen at 5 degrees Celsius on the activities of certain antioxidative enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels. It finds that the cooling process doesn’t alter the functionality of the enzymes, and that adding a semen extender increases the antioxidative activity without leading to significant lipid peroxidation during storage.
Detailed Explanation of the Research Paper
Objective and Hypothesis
- The research was aimed at determining the effects of storage at 5 degrees Celsius on equine semen, particularly on the activities of antioxidative enzymes namely, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).
- The researchers also wanted to establish whether lipid peroxidation, a process that can inflict damage on sperm cells, occurs during storage and if a semen extender can enhance the semen’s antioxidative capacity.
Methods
- Semen was collected from fertile Shetland stallions and subject to different conditions like immediate measurement after collection, dilution with semen extender, resuspension in extender and 0.9% NaCl after centrifugation, and storage at 5 degrees Celsius for 24 hours.
- The researchers measured the activities of the three antioxidative enzymes and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of lipid peroxidation.
Results
- It was found that the storage for 24 hours at 5 degrees Celsius did not alter the activity of the examined enzymes.
- It was also observed that the antioxidative activity was significantly higher in semen extended than in the native semen as well as in extended plasma than in undiluted plasma, indicating the positive effects of a semen extender.
- Interestingly, the TBARS content did not increase during storage, suggesting that lipid peroxidation does not increase significantly during semen storage.
In summary, the study found that storage of stallion semen at 5 degrees Celsius maintains the antioxidative enzyme activities without leading to substantial lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the use of a semen extender further increases the antioxidative activity in stallion semen.
Cite This Article
APA
Kankofer M, Kolm G, Aurich J, Aurich C.
(2005).
Activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase and lipid peroxidation intensity in stallion semen during storage at 5 degrees C.
Theriogenology, 63(5), 1354-1365.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.07.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, University of Veterinary Sciences, 1210 Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Austria. Marta.Kankofer@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antioxidants / metabolism
- Catalase / metabolism
- Centrifugation
- Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
- Horses / metabolism
- Lipid Peroxidation
- Male
- Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
- Semen / chemistry
- Semen / metabolism
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Solutions
- Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
- Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Hosseini M, Behehsti F, Marefati N, Anaeigoudari A. Nano-selenium relieved hepatic and renal oxidative damage in hypothyroid rats. Physiol Rep 2023 May;11(9):e15682.
- Cecchini Gualandi S, Giangaspero B, Di Palma T, Macchia G, Carluccio A, Boni R. Oxidative profile and protease regulator potential to predict sperm functionality in donkey (Equus asinus). Sci Rep 2021 Oct 15;11(1):20551.
- Pintus E, Ros-Santaella JL. Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproduction in Domestic and Wild Animals. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021 Jul 20;10(7).
- Sobeh M, Hassan SA, Hassan MAE, Khalil WA, Abdelfattah MAO, Wink M, Yasri A. A Polyphenol-Rich Extract From Entada abyssinica Reduces Oxidative Damage in Cryopreserved Ram Semen. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:604477.
- H R, T W S, T S, S S, S A. Alpha-tocopherol improves sperm quality by regulate intracellular Ca2+ intensity (influx/efflux) of Simmental bull cattle sperm. Infect Dis Rep 2020 Jul 7;12(Suppl 1):8721.
- Sposito C, Camargo M, Tibaldi DS, Barradas V, Cedenho AP, Nichi M, Bertolla RP, Spaine DM. Antioxidant enzyme profile and lipid peroxidation products in semen samples of testicular germ cell tumor patients submitted to orchiectomy. Int Braz J Urol 2017 Jul-Aug;43(4):644-651.
- Zduńczyk S, Domosławska A, Jamioł M, Kankofer M. Impact of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants on Semen Quality in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2025 Oct 31;15(21).
- Boulbina I, Bekara MEA, AinBaziz H, Mattioli S, Castellini C. Breed-Specific Responses of Rabbit Semen to Chilling Storage: Sperm Quality, Acrosome Status, and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 14;15(16).
- Neuman NM, Gilun P, Koziorowska-Gilun M, Janiszewski P, Dziekońska A. Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and mRNA Expression in the Reproductive Tissues of Male European Red Deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus). Int J Mol Sci 2025 Jul 25;26(15).
- Kong D, Jiang S, Shi J, Yang Q, Huang J, Li Y, Ding Y, Wang J, Qi X, Liu T, Zhou F. Cryopreservation Protocol Optimization for Penaeus monodon Sperm: Reagent Screening and Parameter Refinement. Biology (Basel) 2025 Apr 11;14(4).
- Bodu M, Hitit M, Greenwood OC, Murray RD, Memili E. Extender development for optimal cryopreservation of buck sperm to increase reproductive efficiency of goats. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1554771.
- Zhao L, Zhao Q, Sharafeldin S, Sang L, Wang C, Xue Y, Shen Q. Moderate Highland Barley Intake Affects Anti-Fatigue Capacity in Mice via Metabolism, Anti-Oxidative Effects and Gut Microbiota. Nutrients 2025 Feb 19;17(4).
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