Carnosine as malondialdehyde scavenger in stallion seminal plasma and its role in sperm function and oxidative status.
Abstract: Semen biotechniques may impair sperm quality due to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, products of the oxidative reaction, especially involving lipids (e.g., malondialdehyde - MDA), may be even more harmful to sperm. Carnosine, previously reported to be present in seminal plasma of several species, may be a key factor on sperm tolerance to biotechniques by counterattacking the deleterious influence of MDA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the levels of carnosine present in equine seminal plasma and relate these findings with sperm function and oxidative status during cooling and cryopreservation. Thus, semen samples were collected from 40 stallions in duplicate (N = 80) and then submitted to cooling and cryopreservation. Samples were then allocated into groups of high and low tolerance to refrigeration and cryopreservation (bad cooler and good cooler/bad freezer and good freezer, respectively), and in groups of different concentrations of carnosine (High, Medium-high, Medium-low and Low carnosine). Samples were evaluated for sperm kinetics patterns, function of sperm structures and oxidative status. In good cooler samples, it was observed higher concentrations of carnosine (Good cooler: 224.98 ± 19.16 ng/mL; Bad cooler: 159.72 ± 15.99 ng/mL; p = 0.0056), ROS production (Good cooler: 26.40 ± 18.33%; Bad cooler: 18.33 ± 1.84%; p = 0.001) and lipid peroxidation rates (Good cooler: 193.23 ± 18.22 ng/mL; Bad cooler: 131.92 ± 12.25; p = 0.0064). Groups of samples with higher carnosine concentrations had lower levels of malondialdehyde (High: 79.33 ± 6.72 ng/mL; Medium-high: 140.45 ± 11.70 ng/mL; Medium-low: 202.57 ± 16.30 ng/mL and Low: 231.02 ± 32.35 ng/mL; p < 0.05), demonstrating that carnosine was effective in removing lipid peroxidation products. Due to the removal of seminal plasma during the cryopreservation process, no differences occurred in carnosine levels between bad and good freezer groups. In this context, this study provides relevant data for future therapies using carnosine during cryopreservation, aiming to replace the levels lost due to the necessary removal of seminal plasma.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-06-23 PubMed ID: 29960162DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.016Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article investigates the role of Carnosine, an antioxidant present in seminal plasma, in preventing sperm damage during cooling and cryopreservation processes. The study also correlates Carnosine concentration with sperm function and oxidative status.
The Purpose and Methodology of the Study
- The study was conducted with an aim to measure the Carnosine levels present in the seminal plasma of stallions (a male horse species) and examine how these levels affect sperm function and oxidative status during cooling and cryopreservation (a process of preserving biological constructs by cooling them to very low temperatures).
- 80 semen samples were collected from 40 stallions and categorized into groups based on tolerance to refrigeration and cryopreservation, and concentrations of Carnosine.
- The research identified that semen samples with higher Carnosine concentrations displayed better tolerance to refrigeration and lower rates of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation (a process that damages cell membranes).
- It also found that the higher the concentration of Carnosine in a sample, the lower the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a potentially harmful by-product of lipid peroxidation.
- The study proves that Carnosine interacts directly with malondialdehyde, helping to neutralize its deleterious effects on sperm during cooling and cryopreservation.
- Thus, Carnosine effectively aids in maintaining sperm health and function during these processes by combating oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
- This study provides valuable insight for future research and therapies, suggesting that the levels of Carnosine may be replenished during cryopreservation to counteract the loss due to the removal of seminal plasma.
- However, the study also indicates that during cryopreservation, there were no noticeable differences in Carnosine levels between semen samples showing good or bad tolerance to freezing. The reason for this is unclear and would need further examination.
Key Findings of the Research
Importance of Carnosine
Implications of the Findings
Limitations of the Study
Cite This Article
APA
Rocha CC, Kawai GKV, de Agostini Losano JD, Angrimani DSR, Rui BR, de Cássia Bicudo L, da Silva BDCS, Alonso MA, Mendes CM, Ortiz D'Avila Assumpção ME, Pereira RJG, Barnabe VH, Nichi M.
(2018).
Carnosine as malondialdehyde scavenger in stallion seminal plasma and its role in sperm function and oxidative status.
Theriogenology, 119, 10-17.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.06.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: mnichi@usp.br.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antioxidants / chemistry
- Antioxidants / pharmacology
- Carnosine / chemistry
- Carnosine / pharmacology
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Horses
- Lipid Peroxidation
- Male
- Malondialdehyde / chemistry
- Semen / chemistry
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Dos Reis WVA, Pereira RR, Vieira M, da Cunha CCT, Acácio BR, Macedo GG, da Costa-E-Silva EV, Sampaio BFB. Impact of quercetin, carnosine, and ozone in the cryopreservation on Nellore (Bos indicus) semen. Anim Reprod 2023;20(1):e20220048.
- Sarkar PK, Egusa A, Matsuzaki M, Sasanami T. Effect of Anserine and Carnosine on Sperm Motility in the Japanese Quail. J Poult Sci 2021;58(3):186-191.
- Gao J, Yang P, Cui Y, Meng Q, Feng Y, Hao Y, Liu J, Piao X, Gu X. Identification of Metabonomics Changes in Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Finishing Pigs Following Heat Stress through LC-MS/MS-Based Metabonomics Method. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 13;10(1).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
