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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Reprod / Coenzyme Q-10 improves preservation of mitochondrial functio...
Animal reproduction2021; 18(1); e20200218; doi: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0218

Coenzyme Q-10 improves preservation of mitochondrial functionality and actin structure of cryopreserved stallion sperm.

Abstract: Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) is a cofactor for mitochondrial electron transport chain and may be an alternative to improve sperm quality of cryopreserved equine semen. This work aimed to improve stallion semen quality after freezing by adding CoQ-10 to the cryopreservation protocol. Seven saddle stallions were utilized. Each animal was submitted to five semen collections and freezing procedures. For cryopreservation, each ejaculate was divided in three treatments: 1) Botucrio® diluent (control); 2) 50 μmol CoQ-10 added to Botucrio® diluent; 3) 1 mmol CoQ-10 added to Botucrio® diluent. Semen batches were analyzed for sperm motility characteristics (CASA), plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (by fluorescence probes propidium iodide, Hoechst 33342, FITC-PSA and JC-1, respectively), alterations in cytoskeletal actin (phalloidin-FITC) and mitochondrial function (diaminobenzidine; DAB). The 1 mmol CoQ-10 treatment presented higher (P<0.05) amount (66.8%) of sperm cells with fully stained midpiece (indicating high mitochondrial activity) and higher (P<0.05) amount (81.6%) of cells without actin reorganization to the post-acrosomal region compared to control group (60.8% and 76.0%, respectively). It was concluded that the addition of 1 mmol CoQ-10 to the freezing diluent was more effective in preserving mitochondria functionality and cytoskeleton of sperm cells submitted to cryopreservation process.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-31 PubMed ID: 33936294PubMed Central: PMC8078863DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0218Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 study investigates the use of Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) in enhancing the quality of frozen equine semen by preserving its mitochondrial functionality and actin structure.

Introduction and Objective

  • The researchers aim to improve the quality of stallion semen after freezing by incorporating CoQ-10 into the cryopreservation protocol. CoQ-10 is a coenzyme responsible for facilitating the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which is an essential process for energy production in cells. The underlying hypothesis is that CoQ-10 could increase the preservation of sperm quality during the cryopreservation of equine semen.

Methodology

  • Seven saddle stallions were used for this study, with each animal undergoing five semen collection and freezing procedures.
  • Each ejaculate sample was divided into three treatments for comparison: one group served as a control with standard Botucrio® diluent; one group had 50 μmol CoQ-10 added to the Botucrio® diluent; and another group with 1 mmol CoQ-10 added to the Botucrio® diluent.
  • Semen batches were analysed for sperm motility characteristics, plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, changes in cytoskeletal actin, and mitochondrial function using various fluorescence probes and diaminobenzidine (DAB).

Results

  • Results from the study showed that the addition of 1 mmol CoQ-10 to the freezing diluent yielded promising results. The treatment exhibited a higher percentage (66.8%) of sperm cells with fully stained midpiece, which signifies high mitochondrial activity.
  • In addition, a higher percentage (81.6%) of cells with no actin reorganization to the post-acrosomal region was also observed, compared to the control group (60.8% and 76.0%, respectively).

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that the addition of 1 mmol CoQ-10 to the freezing diluent effectively preserves mitochondrial functionality and the cytoskeleton of sperm cells during the cryopreservation process.
  • By introducing CoQ-10 into the freezing protocol, this study presents a potential method to enhance the quality of frozen equine semen, which is valuable for breeding purposes and conserving genetic diversity among equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Lançoni R, Celeghini ECC, Giuli V, de Carvalho CPT, Zoca GB, Garcia-Oliveros LN, Batissaco L, Oliveira LZ, de Arruda RP. (2021). Coenzyme Q-10 improves preservation of mitochondrial functionality and actin structure of cryopreserved stallion sperm. Anim Reprod, 18(1), e20200218. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0218

Publication

Animal reproduction
ISSN: 1984-3143
NlmUniqueID: 101272804
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: e20200218

Researcher Affiliations

Lançoni, Renata
  • Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brasil.
Celeghini, Eneiva Carla Carvalho
  • Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil.
Giuli, Valdemar De
  • Central Internacional de Reprodução Equina Rancho das Américas, Porto Feliz, SP, Brasil.
de Carvalho, Carla Patricia Teodoro
  • Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil.
Zoca, Gabriela Bertaiolli
  • Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil.
Garcia-Oliveros, Laura Nataly
  • Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil.
Batissaco, Leonardo
  • Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil.
Oliveira, Letícia Zoccolaro
  • Departamento de Clínica Veterinária e Cirurgia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
de Arruda, Rubens Paes
  • Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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