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Sperm mobility: phenotype in roosters (Gallus domesticus) determined by mitochondrial function
1Department of Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA. david.froman@oregonstate.edu
Biology of Reproduction
|November 13, 2004
Summary
Sperm mobility in roosters is linked to mitochondrial function, influenced by genetic selection. Aberrant mitochondria and reduced oxygen consumption in selected lines impair sperm motility, suggesting a role for glutamate in calcium uptake.
Area of Science:
- Animal genetics
- Cell biology
- Reproductive biology
Background:
- Sperm mobility inheritance previously showed maternal effects and correlation with ATP content.
- Mitochondrial function's role in sperm motility phenotype was unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the critical role of mitochondrial function in sperm mobility phenotype expression.
- To identify genetic factors influencing mitochondrial function and sperm motility.
Main Methods:
- Correlation analysis of sperm oxygen consumption with motility phenotype.
- Transmission electron microscopy to assess mitochondrial morphology.
- Mitochondrial DNA sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.
- Computer-assisted sperm motion analysis.
Main Results:
- Sperm oxygen consumption strongly correlated with sperm mobility (r = 0.83).
- Immobile sperm exhibited aberrant mitochondria (swollen, disorganized cristae).
- Lines selected for low sperm mobility showed threefold lower oxygen consumption and higher incidence of aberrant mitochondria (47% vs 4%).
- A specific single nucleotide polymorphism in tRNA(Arg) gene was consistently inherited.
Conclusions:
- Sperm mobility phenotype is dependent on mitochondrial function.
- Genetic selection significantly alters mitochondrial function, impacting sperm motility.
- Glutamate-induced mitochondrial calcium uptake is proposed as a mechanism for motility variation.