Coenzyme Q₁₀ improves the quality of sheep sperm stored at room temperature by mitigating oxidative stress

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to explore whether coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) improves the quality of sheep semen stored at room temperature by attenuating oxidative stress. Semen was diluted without (control group), and with antioxidants (5, 50, 250, and 500 μmol/L CoQ10). Sperm kinetic parameters and plasma membrane integrity were determined, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated on the fifth day of semen preservation. The results showed that compared with the control group, the progressive motility in the 50 μmol/L group was higher (p < 0.05) within 2–5 days, and the plasma membrane integrity of sperm was higher in the 50 μmol/L group. The ROS content in the 5 and 50 μmol/L groups was reduced. The MDA level was reduced in the CoQ10 supplementation groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the CAT, SOD, TAOC, ATP and MMP levels in the 50 μmol/L group were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, CoQ10 improved the quality of ram semen by alleviating oxidative stress, and 50 μmol/L CoQ10 was the optimum concentration.

Punicalagin Protects Ram Sperm from Oxidative Stress by Enhancing Antioxidant Capacity and Mitochondrial Potential during Liquid Storage at 4 °C

“…The results showed that the 45 µM group of punicalagin decreased the plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and MMP of sperm compared to the 30 µM group. The 45 µM group may have altered the permeability of the mitochondrial membrane, leading to the release of Cytochrome C from sperm, which affected mitochondrial function and sperm motility [37]. The results are consistent with previous studies.…”

Effect of fumigation height and time on cryopreservation of ram semen

“…Appropriate level of ROS play a crucial role in spermatozoa capacitation, acrosome reaction, and the preservation of cell membrane fluidity 41 , 42 . However, when the level of ROS exceeds a certain threshold, it can have a detrimental effect, leading to oxidative stress and damage to spermatozoa 43 . In this study, the level of ROS in post-thawed spermatozoa in the 2 cm fumigation group for 20 min was significantly lower than that in the 6 and 8 cm groups.…”

An Overview on Assay Methods to Quantify ROS and Enzymatic Antioxidants in Erythrocytes and Spermatozoa of Small Domestic Ruminants

“…Wang et al [94] used a commercial kit (Beyotime Institute of Biotechnology, Shanghai, China) to determine ROS content in ram semen (2.0 × 10 9 /mL), using DCFH-DC as a probe. The fluorescence intensity was monitored using a multifunctional microplate reader (PerkinElmer Inc., NYSE: PKI, Waltham, MA, USA) at Ex/Em = 488/525 nm).…”

“…Wang et al [94] used a WST-8 kit (Beyotime Institute of Biotechnology, Shanghai, China) for measuring SOD activity in ram. Samples of semen (2.0 × 10 9 /mL) were centrifuged at 12,000× g for 5 min, and after incubation with WST-8/enzyme working solution, the absorbance at 450 nm was determined.…”