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Published on: November 28, 2018
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Aflatoxin B1 impairs sperm quality and fertilization competence
A Komsky-Elbaz1, M Saktsier1, Z Roth1
1Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Toxicology
|November 9, 2017
Summary
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure negatively impacts bull sperm viability, mitochondrial function, and DNA integrity. This mycotoxin exposure also reduces fertilization competence and early embryonic development, highlighting risks to male fertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus fungi, contaminate various food staples like maize and wheat.
- Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent carcinogen and mutagen, with its effects on sperm function being less understood.
- Understanding AFB1's impact on male gametes is crucial for assessing reproductive health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of AFB1 on bull sperm viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function, and DNA fragmentation.
- To evaluate the impact of AFB1 exposure on sperm's fertilization competence and early embryonic development in vitro.
- To determine dose-dependent responses of sperm parameters to varying concentrations of AFB1.
Main Methods:
- Bull spermatozoa from ejaculate and epididymis were capacitated in vitro with different AFB1 concentrations (0-100μM).
- Acrosome reaction, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were assessed using fluorescent staining.
- Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using a Halosperm DNA fragmentation kit, and fertilization/embryo development was assessed using bovine oocytes.
Main Results:
- AFB1 exposure significantly reduced sperm viability and impaired mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in a dose-dependent manner.
- Exposure to AFB1 decreased the acrosome reaction rate in epididymal sperm and increased DNA fragmentation in ejaculated sperm.
- AFB1-exposed sperm showed reduced cleavage rates of fertilized embryos, though blastocyst development rates were not significantly affected.
Conclusions:
- Aflatoxin B1 exerts detrimental effects on sperm quality, including viability, mitochondrial function, and DNA integrity, compromising fertility potential.
- AFB1-induced paternal DNA fragmentation may negatively influence early embryonic development.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the impact of AFB1 on blastocyst quality derived from exposed sperm.
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