Glycerophospholipids protect stallion spermatozoa from oxidative damage in vitro

Abstract

Stallion sperm membranes comprise of a high proportion of poly-unsaturated 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of 4-HNE within the spent media (0.026±0.003 vs 0.039±0.004 μg/mL; P≤0.001), suggesting that oxidized lipids had been replaced by exogenous GPL.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 oC 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-mm-sized GPL micelles results in the incorporation of exogenous GPL into sperm membranes, diminishing lipid peroxidation and improving sperm quality in vitro.

Spermatozoa Quality of Kintamani Dogs in Coconut Water-Egg Yolk Diluent with Addition of Moringa Leaves and Carrot Extract

“…An autocatalytic reaction (chain reaction) can ultimately damage all phospholipids of the spermatozoa plasma membrane when it is not prevented (Prihantoko et al 2020). During semen collecting, dilution, and storage, lipid peroxidation occurs in the plasma membrane, which produces free radicals (Medica et al 2021;Rizkallah et al 2022).…”

Effects of Heat Stress on Motion Characteristics and Metabolomic Profiles of Boar Spermatozoa

“…These metabolic pathways participate in the regulation of sperm quality. For instance, glycerophospholipid incorporated into sperm membranes can reduce oxidative damage and improve stallion sperm quality [ 30 ]. Glycerophospholipid supplementation significantly alleviated oxidative stress, and enhanced the motility and viability of fresh and post-thaw sperm in humans [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Fundamentals of Membrane Lipid Replacement: A Natural Medicine Approach to Repairing Cellular Membranes and Reducing Fatigue, Pain, and Other Symptoms While Restoring Function in Chronic Illnesses and Aging

“…In these more recent studies, the recommended daily doses of MLR supplements, such as NTFactor Lipids, have generally increased in amounts (Table 1). In addition to the use of MLR in slowing or reversing functional loss in advanced age, MLR supplements can also be useful at the earliest stage of life, for example, in enhancing sperm motility, increasing fertility, and reducing the effects of oxidative stress on sperm and ova membranes and protecting gametes during cryogenic storage [33,322].…”