Protective effects of melatonin on bovine sperm characteristics and subsequent in vitro embryo development

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on bovine frozen-thawed semen and its impact on fertilization outcome. Plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, acrosome integrity, and levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured in spermatozoa treated with different concentrations of melatonin. Melatonin-treated spermatozoa were then used for in vitro fertilization, followed by analysis of subsequent embryo development and the expression of apoptosis- and antioxidant-related genes. The results revealed that 10 and 10 M melatonin led to higher plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and acrosome integrity, and significantly decreased intracellular ROS levels (P < 0.05). The blastocyst development rate of in vitro-produced bovine embryos originating from 10 M melatonin-treated spermatozoa was significantly higher, while the incidence of apoptotic nuclei in blastocysts was markedly lower than for embryos from any other group (P < 0.05). CASP3 and BAX mRNA abundance were significantly reduced whereas BCL2, XIAP, and CAT transcript abundance were significantly increased in embryos produced from spermatozoa treated with 10 M melatonin; GPX4 expression, however, was comparable in all treatment groups. Thus, 10 M melatonin can improve the quality of bovine frozen-thawed semen. These beneficial effects appear to influence preimplantation embryos, given the correlation with its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative properties. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 993-1002, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of melatonin on bovine sperm characteristics and ultrastructure changes following cryopreservation

“…The data obtained regarding sperm motility are in accordance with Ashrafi et al, (), Cheuqueman et al, (), Abdel‐Khalek, El‐Nagar, and Omima (), Kapadiya, Nakhashi, Sutaria, Rathod, and Suthar (), Pang et al, (), Asma‐ul‐Husna et al, () in bulls; Perumal, Vupru, and Khate (), Perumal et al, (), Perumal, Chang, Sangma, Savino, and Khate (), Perumal, Baruah, et al () in Mithun at 5°C; Ashrafi, Kohram, Naijian, Bahreini, and Poorhamdollah (), Succu et al, (), Casao et al, () in rams; Balao da Silva et al, () in stallions at 37°C; Izadpanah, Zare‐Shahneh, Zhandi, Yousefian, and Emamverdi () in stallions at 5°C and El‐Battawy and El‐Nattat () in goats; who reported that the addition of melatonin to semen freezing extender could protect the spermatozoa from damage during cryopreservation and improve the post‐thaw semen quality.…”

“…Recently, supplementation of melatonin as a potent antioxidant has been implicit either througout cryopreservation of semen (Zhao et al, ). More specifically, melatonin can directly benefit sperm characteristics, together with increased total motility, progressive motility, and viability rate enhanced sperm membrane and DNA integrity reduced membrane lipid peroxidation and modulation of sperm capacitation (Pang et al, ). The effect of melatonin on bovine spermatozoa remains arguable (Ashrafi, Kohram, & Ardabili, ) and therefore underlying mechanism has not nevertheless been well elucidated.…”

Melatonin regulates the activities of ovary and delays the fertility decline in female animals via MT1/AMPK pathway

“…For example, mice treated with different antioxidants for 12 months had substantial increases in litter size, pool of follicles, and telomere length as well as oocyte quantity and quality . Many studies have reported the protective effects of melatonin on oxidative stress; especially, melatonin treatment improved the quality of the oocytes, promoted the embryo development pregnant rate, and increased the numbers of the offspring in different species . It has been found that melatonin was present in porcine follicular fluid which improved in vitro maturation and parthenogenetic development of porcine oocytes .…”

“…Many studies have reported the protective effects of melatonin on oxidative stress 21,47 ; especially, melatonin treatment improved the quality of the oocytes, 19 promoted the embryo development pregnant rate, 48 and increased the numbers of the offspring in different species. 56 It has been found that melatonin was present in porcine follicular fluid which improved in vitro maturation and parthenogenetic development of porcine oocytes. 57 When porcine oocytes under heat stress, supplementing melatonin protected oocytes and improved in vitro maturation.…”

Melatonin Scavenger Properties against Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress: Impact on <em>In Vitro</em> Embryo Production in Mammals

“…Also, it increases the blastocyst rate and it decreases apoptosis rate. [75] Human Blastocyst 10 -7 M in culture system in 3D (Encapsulation) Increases the survival time of encapsulated embryos. [76] Bovine Oocytes 10 -6 or 10 -9 M for 24 hours during in vitro maturation In cumulus cells, it up-regulates MnSOD and Cu-ZnSOD.…”