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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Domest Anim / Cryopreservation of stallion semen: Effect of adding antioxi...
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2020; 55(2); 229-239; doi: 10.1111/rda.13611

Cryopreservation of stallion semen: Effect of adding antioxidants to the freezing medium on sperm physiology.

Abstract: Cryopreservation of stallion semen has not reached the level of efficiency and positive results described in other species. This is mainly due to the greater sensitivity of stallion sperm to the freezing process, showing higher rates of oxidative stress and plasma membrane damage, which trigger the activation of several cell damage pathways that ultimately culminate in DNA fragmentation and cell death. Therefore, finding molecules that improve the efficiency of this technique in stallion by preventing oxidative stress and cell damage is required. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding three antioxidants (MnTBAP, NAC and FeTPPS) to the freezing medium on the quality and functional parameters of stallion sperm. Semen samples from three stallions frozen with the antioxidants were evaluated in two conditions: (a) adding the antioxidants before freezing, and (b) before and after freezing. Plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS levels, membrane lipid disorder, DNA damage, sperm motility and binding to the zona pellucida were assessed. The results showed that MnTBAP was the antioxidant treatment that best controlled the oxidative stress process and post-thaw cell damage, showing higher plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm motility, number of spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes and lower lipid disorder. Additionally, it was determined that a second post-thaw application of antioxidants is detrimental since induced higher cell damage and lower sperm motility, without showing any beneficial effect on the spermatozoa.
© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-21 PubMed ID: 31868975DOI: 10.1111/rda.13611Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article discusses the enhancement of stallion semen cryopreservation techniques using certain antioxidants. The study aims to counter the limitations of current techniques that cause oxidative stress and cell damage on the sperm.

Understanding the Problem

  • The process of freezing stallion semen for preservation (cryopreservation) is noted to be less efficient than in other species, mainly due to the high sensitivity of stallion sperm to freezing. This sensitivity results in oxidative stress and damage to the sperm’s plasma membrane.
  • Such damaging effects lead to the onset of several cellular damage pathways, which lead to fragmentation of the sperm DNA and ultimately cell death.
  • Thus, the search for molecules that can boost the efficiency of stallion semen cryopreservation by preventing oxidative stress and cellular damage is necessary.

Research Approach and Methodology

  • The researchers assessed the impact of adding three antioxidants (namely, MnTBAP, NAC, and FeTPPS) into the freezing medium for preserving the stallion sperm.
  • Semen samples from three stallions were frozen with these antioxidants in two different scenarios: one where the antioxidants were added before the semen was frozen; and the other where they were added before and after freezing.
  • The scientists evaluated several aspects of semen health, including plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid peroxidation, levels of intra-cellular ROS, membrane lipid disorder, DNA damage, sperm motility, and binding to the zona pellucida (the membrane surrounding the egg).

Major Findings Revealed

  • The results indicated that MnTBAP was the most effective antioxidant in managing the oxidative stress process and the damage of cells after thawing.
  • Sperm treated with MnTBAP demonstrated higher levels of plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm motility, and a greater number of sperm cells bound to the zona pellucida of bovine oocytes. Furthermore, it also showed a decreased level of lipid disorder.
  • It was also found that applying the antioxidants a second time after thawing was not beneficial as it in fact, induced greater cellular damage and reduced sperm motility, without offering any notable benefits to the sperm cells.

Cite This Article

APA
Contreras MJ, Treulen F, Arias ME, Silva M, Fuentes F, Cabrera P, Felmer R. (2020). Cryopreservation of stallion semen: Effect of adding antioxidants to the freezing medium on sperm physiology. Reprod Domest Anim, 55(2), 229-239. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13611

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 2
Pages: 229-239

Researcher Affiliations

Contreras, María José
  • Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Treulen, Favián
  • Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Temuco, Chile.
Arias, María Elena
  • Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
  • Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Silva, Mauricio
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile.
Fuentes, Fernanda
  • Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Cabrera, Paulina
  • Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Felmer, Ricardo
  • Laboratory of Reproduction, Centre of Reproductive Biotechnology (CEBIOR-BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
  • Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.

MeSH Terms

  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Cryoprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Membrane Lipids
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Metalloporphyrins / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects
  • Zona Pellucida / physiology

Grant Funding

  • 1160467 / Consejo Nacional de Innovaciu00f3n, Ciencia y Tecnologu00eda
  • 21181068, / CONICYT

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Contreras MJ, Núñez-Montero K, Bruna P, Zárate A, Pezo F, García M, Leal K, Barrientos L. Mammals' sperm microbiome: current knowledge, challenges, and perspectives on metagenomics of seminal samples.. Front Microbiol 2023;14:1167763.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1167763pubmed: 37138598google scholar: lookup
  2. Nazif MS, Rehman ZU, Khan H, Khan FA, Hussain T, Ahmad A, Farmanullah, Husnain A, Muhammad S, Murtaza G, Gang L. Glycine Improved Cryopreserved Spermatozoa Quality in Achai Bull.. Biomed Res Int 2022;2022:8282387.
    doi: 10.1155/2022/8282387pubmed: 35968237google scholar: lookup
  3. Nikitkina E, Musidray A, Krutikova A, Anipchenko P, Plemyashov K, Shiryaev G. Efficiency of Tris-Based Extender Steridyl for Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 4;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10101801pubmed: 33020383google scholar: lookup
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