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Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2010; 8; 78; doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-8-78

Delta opioid receptor on equine sperm cells: subcellular localization and involvement in sperm motility analyzed by computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA).

Abstract: Opioid receptors and endogenous opioid peptides act not only in the control of nociceptive pathways, indeed several reports demonstrate the effects of opiates on sperm cell motility and morphology suggesting the importance of these receptors in the modulation of reproduction in mammals. In this study we investigated the expression of delta opioid receptors on equine spermatozoa by western blot/indirect immunofluorescence and its relationship with sperm cell physiology. Methods: We analyzed viability, motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction and mitochondrial activity in the presence of naltrindole and DPDPE by means of a computer assisted sperm analyzer and a fluorescent confocal microscope. The evaluation of viability, capacitation and acrosome reaction was carried out by the double CTC/Hoechst staining, whereas mitochondrial activity was assessed by means of MitoTracker Orange dye. Results: We showed that in equine sperm cells, delta opioid receptor is expressed as a doublet of 65 and 50 kDa molecular mass and is localized in the mid piece of tail; we also demonstrated that naltrindole, a delta opioid receptor antagonist, could be utilized in modulating several physiological parameters of the equine spermatozoon in a dose-dependent way. We also found that low concentrations of the antagonist increase sperm motility whereas high concentrations show the opposite effect. Moreover low concentrations hamper capacitation, acrosome reaction and viability even if the percentage of cells with active mitochondria seems to be increased; the opposite effect is exerted at high concentrations. We have also observed that the delta opioid receptor agonist DPDPE is scarcely involved in affecting the same parameters at the employed concentrations. Conclusions: The results described in this paper add new important details in the comprehension of the mammalian sperm physiology and suggest new insights for improving reproduction and for optimizing equine breeding.
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Publication Date: 2010-06-25 PubMed ID: 20579355PubMed Central: PMC2901311DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-8-78Google 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.

The research focuses on understanding the role and impact of delta opioid receptors on the physiology of equine sperm cells. Researchers observed that the receptor can be used to manipulate several physiological parameters of equine sperm, potentially advancing the understanding of mammalian sperm physiology and aiding in optimizing equine breeding.

Objectives of the Study

  • The study aimed to investigate the expression of delta opioid receptors on equine sperm cells.
  • Its focus was to understand the relationship of this receptor with sperm cell physiology, including viability, motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial activity.

Methods Used in the Study

  • Researchers used western blot/indirect immunofluorescence to identify the expression of delta opioid receptors on the sperm cells.
  • The physiological aspects of sperm cells were investigated in the presence of naltrindole (a delta opioid receptor antagonist) and DPDPE (a delta opioid receptor agonist), using computer assisted sperm analyzer and a fluorescent confocal microscope.
  • The evaluation of viability, capacitation, and acrosome reaction were carried out through double CTC/Hoechst staining, and mitochondrial activity was assessed with MitoTracker Orange dye.

Key Findings

  • The delta opioid receptor is present as a doublet of 65 and 50 kDa molecular mass on equine sperm cells, primarily localized in the mid piece of tail.
  • Naltrindole was found to alter several physiological parameters of the equine spermatozoa in a dose-dependent manner. Lower concentrations increased sperm motility, while higher concentrations proved detrimental. Lower doses also hampered capacitation, acrosome reaction, and viability, but appeared to increase the percentage of cells with active mitochondria. Conversely, higher doses had the opposite effect.
  • DPDPE, the delta opioid receptor agonist, showed negligible effect on these parameters at the used concentrations.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The findings provide crucial details about the role of delta opioid receptors in regulating the physiology of mammalian sperm cells.
  • This knowledge could potentially serve in improving mammalian reproduction methodologies and optimize equine breeding.

Cite This Article

APA
Albrizio M, Lacalandra GM, Micera E, Guaricci AC, Nicassio M, Zarrilli A. (2010). Delta opioid receptor on equine sperm cells: subcellular localization and involvement in sperm motility analyzed by computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Reprod Biol Endocrinol, 8, 78. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-8-78

Publication

Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E
ISSN: 1477-7827
NlmUniqueID: 101153627
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 78

Researcher Affiliations

Albrizio, Maria
  • Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, I-70010, Valenzano (BA), Italy. m.albrizio@veterinaria.uniba.it
Lacalandra, Giovanni M
    Micera, Elisabetta
      Guaricci, Antonio C
        Nicassio, Michele
          Zarrilli, Antonia

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Cell Survival / drug effects
            • Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)- / pharmacology
            • Horses / metabolism
            • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
            • Male
            • Naltrexone / analogs & derivatives
            • Naltrexone / pharmacology
            • Receptors, Opioid, delta / agonists
            • Receptors, Opioid, delta / antagonists & inhibitors
            • Receptors, Opioid, delta / metabolism
            • Semen Analysis / instrumentation
            • Semen Analysis / methods
            • Sperm Motility / drug effects
            • Sperm Motility / physiology
            • Spermatozoa / drug effects
            • Spermatozoa / metabolism
            • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
            • Tissue Distribution / drug effects

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 5 times.
            1. Ghasemi-Esmailabad S, Talebi AH, Talebi AR, Amiri S, Moshrefi M, Pourentezari M. The effects of morphine abuse on sperm parameters, chromatin integrity and apoptosis in men. JBRA Assist Reprod 2022 Aug 4;26(3):444-449.
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