Redox cycling induces spermptosis and necrosis in stallion spermatozoa while the hydroxyl radical (OH•) only induces spermptosis |
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Authors: | P Martín Muñoz L Anel‐López JM Ortiz‐Rodríguez M Álvarez P de Paz C Balao da Silva H Rodríguez Martinez MC Gil L Anel FJ Peña C Ortega Ferrusola |
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Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain;2. Reproduction and Obstetrics Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of León, León, Spain;3. Department of Molecular Biology, University of León, León, Spain;4. Portalagre Polytechnic Institute, Superior Agriculture School of Elvas, Elvas, Portugal;5. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Link?ping University, Link?ping, Sweden |
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Abstract: | Oxidative stress is a major factor explaining sperm dysfunction of spermatozoa surviving freezing and thawing and is also considered a major inducer of a special form of apoptosis, visible after thawing, in cryopreserved spermatozoa. To obtain further insights into the link between oxidative stress and the induction of apoptotic changes, stallion spermatozoa were induced to oxidative stress through redox cycling after exposure to 2‐methyl‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (menadione), or hydroxyl radical formation after FeSO4 exposure. Either exposure induced significant increases (p < 0.05) in two markers of lipid peroxidation: 8‐iso‐PGF2α and 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE). While both treatments induced changes indicative of spermptosis (caspase‐3 activation and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential) (p < 0.01), menadione induced sperm necrosis and a dramatic reduction in motility and thiol content in stallion spermatozoa. Thus, we provided evidence that oxidative stress underlies spermptosis, and thiol content is a key factor for stallion sperm function. |
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Keywords: | equine flow cytometry
reactive oxygen species
sperm senescence |
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