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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Evaluation of Intracellular Location of Reactive Oxygen Species in Solea Senegalensis Spermatozoa

Evaluation of Intracellular Location of Reactive Oxygen Species in Solea Senegalensis Spermatozoa

Published on: March 11, 2018

Reactive oxygen species and boar sperm function.

Basim J Awda¹, Meghan Mackenzie-Bell, Mary M Buhr

¹Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Biology of Reproduction

|April 10, 2009

Summary

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) impact boar sperm function, with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) being the primary ROS affecting sperm motility and acrosome integrity. Oxidative stress indicators like lipid peroxidation are more sensitive than viability.

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

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Published on: March 11, 2018

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Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Fluorimetric Techniques for the Assessment of Sperm Membranes

Published on: November 28, 2018

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Sperm Physiology
Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

Boar spermatozoa are sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), but their role in sperm damage and capacitation remains unclear.
Understanding ROS effects is crucial for improving boar sperm preservation and fertility.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of ROS on boar sperm characteristics, including ROS content, lipid peroxidation, phospholipase A activity, motility, viability, and capacitation.
To compare ROS-induced effects with those of cryopreservation.

Main Methods:

Boar sperm were exposed to a ROS-generating system (xanthine/xanthine oxidase) or cryopreserved.
Sperm ROS content (H2O2, O2-), lipid peroxidation, phospholipase A activity, motility, viability, acrosome reaction, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation were assessed using flow cytometry and other assays.

Main Results:

ROS exposure rapidly increased H2O2 and lipid peroxidation, reduced sperm motility, and increased phospholipase A activity in dead sperm.
Cryopreservation decreased motility, viability, and intracellular O2- but did not affect H2O2.
ROS exposure enhanced acrosome reactions but reduced capacitation-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation.

Conclusions:

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the main ROS mediating direct effects on boar sperm, distinct from cryopreservation-induced changes.
Sperm motility, acrosome integrity, and lipid peroxidation are sensitive indicators of oxidative stress in boar sperm.
ROS may stimulate boar sperm acrosome reactions via lipid peroxidation and phospholipase A activation.