OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Oxidative stress and the long-term storage of horse spermatozoa.
Abstract: The growing understanding of the mechanisms regulating redox homeostasis in the stallion spermatozoa, together with its interactions with energetic metabolism, is providing new clues applicable to the improvement of sperm conservation in horses. Based on this knowledge, new extenders, adapted to the biology of the stallion spermatozoa, are expected to be developed in the near future. The preservation of semen either by refrigeration or cryopreservation is a principal component of most animal breeding industries. Although this procedure has been successful in many species, in others, substantial limitations persist. In the last decade, mechanistic studies have shed light on the molecular changes behind the damage that spermatozoa experience during preservation. Most of this damage is oxidative, and thus in this review, we aim to provide an updated overview of recent discoveries about how stallion spermatozoa maintain redox homeostasis, and how the current procedures of sperm preservation disrupt redox regulation and cause sperm damage which affects viability, functionality, fertility and potentially the health of the offspring. We are optimistic that this review will promote new ideas for further research to improve sperm preservation technologies, promoting translational research with a wide scope for applicability not only in horses but also in other animal species and humans.
Publication Date: 2022-11-18 PubMed ID: 36255038DOI: 10.1530/REP-22-0264Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Review
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The researchers assess the impact of oxidative stress on the long-term storage of horse sperm and conclude that understanding the redox regulation can pave way for improved sperm conservation methods in the animal breeding industry.
Background
- The study is underpinned by the rising knowledge on the influence of redox homeostasis mechanisms on the stability of stallion spermatozoa. It appreciates the implications of this understanding on boosting sperm preservation in horses and potentially in human beings and other animal species.
- The researchers recognize the importance of semen preservation (via refrigeration or cryopreservation) in the animal breeding industry. They acknowledge that while the method has proven successful in a variety of species, there remain significant constraints in others.
- The study gives credit to previous scientific endeavors that have revealed molecular changes causing sperm damage during preservation – with a majority of such damages having been established as oxidative.
Objective and Scope of the Study
- The study is tasked with providing an up-to-date understanding of how stallion spermatozoa maintains redox homeostasis.
- It further investigates how current sperm preservation techniques disrupt redox regulation, leading to sperm damage that can subsequently affect viability, functionality, fertility, and, potentially, the health of the offspring.
- The researchers maintain a forward-looking perspective by assuming an optimistic stance that the study will generate fresh perspectives for further research to enhance sperm preservation methods. This resilience resonates with the presumably wide applicability scope of the research findings in other animal species and humans.
Potential Implications and Predictions
- The anticipation of developing new extenders that are more compatible with the biology of stallion spermatozoa in the near future showcases one of the valuable aspects of this research as far as promoting efficient sperm conservation in horses is concerned.
- Another potential contribution from the study is its potential to foster translational research that can facilitate the execution of refined sperm preservation strategies in other areas besides horses, including humans and other animal species. Such potential cross-species application underlines the profound significance of this research in the broader sphere of reproductive function and fertility preservation.
Cite This Article
APA
Peña FJ, Gibb Z.
(2022).
OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Oxidative stress and the long-term storage of horse spermatozoa.
Reproduction, 164(6), F135-F144.
https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-22-0264 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Horses
- Male
- Animals
- Semen / physiology
- Spermatozoa / metabolism
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Cryopreservation / methods
- Oxidative Stress / physiology
- Sperm Motility / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Strassner FM, Demattio L, Siuda M, Malama E, Muffels G, Bollwein H. Relationships Between Metabolism of Cryopreserved Equine Sperm Determined by the Seahorse Analyzer and Sperm Characteristics Measured by Flow Cytometry and Computer-Assisted Analysis of Motility. Vet Sci 2025 Nov 21;12(12).
- Axnér E. A review of sperm cryopreservation in the domestic dog and cat: part I, from science to clinic. Acta Vet Scand 2025 Dec 11;68(1):3.
- de Zutter BM, de Paula Freitas-Dell'Aqua C, Dell'Aqua-Junior JA, Monteiro GA, Troncarelli T, Papa FO. Optimising Stallion Semen Cryopreservation: Preliminary Insights Into Pre-Centrifugation Extender Effects. Reprod Domest Anim 2025 Oct;60(10):e70135.
- Ullah A, Chen W, Shi L, Wang M, Geng M, Na J, Akhtar MF, Khan MZ, Wang C. Challenges and Enhancing Strategies of Equine Semen Preservation: Nutritional and Genetic Perspectives. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 25;12(9).
- Soria-Meneses PJ, Jurado-Campos A, Rubio de Juan A, Montoro Angulo V, Soler AJ, Garde JJ, Ramón Fernández M, Fernández-Santos MDR. Effects of long-term cryopreservation on sperm quality and oxidative stress in Manchega rams (Ovis aries). Reproduction 2025 Oct 1;170(4).
- Boulbina I, Bekara MEA, AinBaziz H, Mattioli S, Castellini C. Breed-Specific Responses of Rabbit Semen to Chilling Storage: Sperm Quality, Acrosome Status, and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 14;15(16).
- Gacem S, Mocé E, Gozalbo C, Albuixech-Benetó M, Esteve IC, Martínez-Talaván A, Silvestre MA. The Effects of Extender Energetic Substrate Type on Goat Sperm Stored at 17 °C. Biology (Basel) 2025 Jun 27;14(7).
- Kunkel S, Johnston SD, Nouwens A, Pini T. Dynamic sperm proteome remodeling during epididymal maturation in a marsupial, Macropus giganteus†. Biol Reprod 2025 Sep 15;113(3):581-591.
- Becerro-Rey L, Martín-Cano FE, Silva-Rodríguez A, Ortega-Ferrusola C, da Silva-Álvarez E, Ortiz-Placín C, Tapia JA, Gil MC, Peña FJ. Stallion spermatozoa express LDH isoforms A, B, and C, with LDHC playing a crucial role in sustaining sperm viability. Reproduction 2025 Jul 1;170(1).
- Peña FJ, Martín-Cano FE, Becerro-Rey L, da Silva-Álvarez E, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Aparicio IM, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C. Redox Regulation and Glucose Metabolism in the Stallion Spermatozoa. Antioxidants (Basel) 2025 Feb 17;14(2).
- Jorge M, Ferreira FC, Marques CC, Batista MC, Oliveira PJ, Lidon F, Duarte SC, Teixeira J, Pereira RMLN. Effect of Urolithin A on Bovine Sperm Capacitation and In Vitro Fertilization. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 20;14(18).
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