Abstract: Stallion sperm membranes comprise a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, making stallion spermatozoa especially vulnerable to peroxidative damage from reactive oxygen species generated as a by-product of cell metabolism. Membrane lipid replacement therapy with glycerophospholipid (GPL) mixtures has been shown to reduce oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo. The aims of this study were to test the effects of a commercial preparation of GPL, NTFactor® Lipids, on stallion spermatozoa under oxidative stress. When oxidative damage was induced by the addition of arachidonic acid to stallion spermatozoa, the subsequent addition of GPL reduced the percentage of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE; a key end product of lipid peroxidation) positive cells (32.9 ± 2.7 vs 20.9 ± 2.3%; P ≤ 0.05) and increased the concentration of 4-HNE within the spent media (0.026 ± 0.003 vs 0.039 ± 0.004 µg/mL; P ≤ 0.001), suggesting that oxidized lipids had been replaced by exogenous GPL. Lipid replacement improved several motility parameters (total motility: 2.0 ± 1.0 vs 68.8 ± 2.9%; progressive motility: 0 ± 0 vs 19.3 ± 2.6%; straight line velocity: 9.5 ± 2.1 vs 50.9 ± 4.1 µm/s; curvilinear velocity: 40.8 ± 10 vs 160.7 ± 7.8 µm/s; average path velocity: 13.4 ± 2.9 vs 81.9 ± 5.9 µm/s; P ≤ 0.001), sperm viability (13.5 ± 2.9 vs 80.2 ± 1.6%; P ≤ 0.001) and reduced mitochondrial ROS generation (98.2 ± 0.6 vs 74.8 ± 6.1%; P ≤ 0.001). Supplementation with GPL during 17°C in vitro sperm storage over 72 h improved sperm viability (66.4 ± 2.6 vs 78.1 ± 2.9%; P ≤ 0.01) and total motility (53 ± 5.6 vs 66.3 ± 3.5%; P ≤ 0.05). It is concluded that incubation of stallion spermatozoa with sub-µm-sized GPL micelles results in the incorporation of exogenous GPL into sperm membranes, diminishing lipid peroxidation and improving sperm quality in vitro. Sperm collection and storage is an important step in many artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization regimes for several species, including humans and horses. The sperm membrane, which acts as a protective outer barrier, is made up of fatty acid-containing molecules - called phospholipids. These phospholipids may become damaged by waste products generated by the cell, such as hydrogen peroxide, during non-chilled sperm storage. We aimed to determine if sperm cells were able to repair this membrane damage by supplementing them with phospholipids during non-chilled storage. Sperm was collected from five miniature stallions by artificial vagina, and then supplemented with phospholipids during 72 h sperm storage at 17°C. Our studies show that when stallion sperm are supplemented with phospholipids in vitro, they are able to remove their damaged membrane phospholipids and swap them for undamaged ones, aiding in resistance to cellular waste and improving cell health and potential fertility.
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This study investigates the impact of glycerophospholipids (GPL) on the resilience and quality of stallion spermatozoa when exposed to oxidative stress. The researchers found that introducing GPL to the spermatozoa improved several motility parameters, resulting in healthier sperm and potential increased fertility.
Understanding Stallion Spermatozoa and Oxidative Stress
The membrane of stallion sperm contains a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are prone to damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS), produced as a byproduct of cellular metabolism.
These ROS can lead to peroxidative damage, especially in stallion spermatozoa, due to their increased vulnerability.
Role of Glycerophospholipids
Researchers used a commercial preparation of GPL, NTFactor Lipids, to reduce oxidative damage in stallion spermatozoa.
The GPL mixtures have been shown to replace oxidized lipids, reducing oxidative damage and enhancing the health and functionality of the spermatozoa.
Outcomes of the Research
The study notes significant improvement in motility parameters, sperm viability, and the capacity of spermatozoa to generate ROS when treated with GPL.
This indicates that the addition of exogenous GPL enhances the spermatozoa’s ability to incorporate the new, undamaged lipids, thereby repairing membrane damage and making them more resilient against cellular waste.
Implications of the Research
The results suggest that GPL could play a considerable role in facilitating artificial insemination and fertility regimes across several species, including humans and horses.
It establishes that the supplementation of spermatozoa with GPL during storage can result in healthier and potentially more fertile sperm.
This discovery could contribute to advancements in fertility treatments and better understanding of the cellular mechanisms at play in sperm storage and viability.
Cite This Article
APA
Medica AJ, Aitken RJ, Nicolson GL, Sheridan AR, Swegen A, De Iuliis GN, Gibb Z.
(2021).
Glycerophospholipids protect stallion spermatozoa from oxidative damage in vitro.
Reprod Fertil, 2(3), 199-209.
https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-21-0028
Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environmental, and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Aitken, Robert J
Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environmental, and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Nicolson, Garth L
Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, California, USA.
Sheridan, Alecia R
Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environmental, and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Swegen, Aleona
Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environmental, and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
De Iuliis, Geoffry N
Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environmental, and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Gibb, Zamira
Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environmental, and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Female
Glycerophospholipids
Horses
Humans
Male
Oxidative Stress
Semen
Sperm Motility
Spermatozoa
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