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Published on: November 29, 2018
5-Aminolevulinic acid improves chicken sperm motility
Shin Taniguchi1,2, Zhendong Zhu1, Mei Matsuzaki3
1Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan.
Objective:
This study investigated the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) on the motility parameters, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and ATP levels in chicken sperm.
Methods:
The pooled semen from Barred Plymouth Rock males was used. In the first experiment, the semen was diluted 4-times with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS (-)) containing various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mM) of 5-ALA, and then the sperm motility parameters after incubation were evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). In the second experiment, the semen was diluted 4-times with PBS (-) containing 0.05 mM 5-ALA, and then sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ATP levels after 1.5 h of incubation were analyzed with the MitoPT® JC-1 Assay and ATP Assay kits, respectively. In the third experiment, the semen was removed from the seminal plasma and resuspended with the mediums of PBS (-), PBS (-) supplemented with CaCl2 and MgCl2 (PBS (+)) + 5-ALA, PBS (+) + caffeine, and PBS (+) + caffeine + 5-ALA. Then, the sperm motility parameters after incubation were evaluated by CASA. In the last experiment, the semen was treated with the mediums of PBS (-), PBS (-) + 5-ALA, 5.7% glucose, 5.7% glucose + 5-ALA after removing the seminal plasma, and then the sperm motility parameters were evaluated by CASA.
Results:
The addition of 0.05 mM 5-ALA significantly increased the chicken sperm motility, progressive motility, linearity, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, and the wobble. The sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization was also increased by the 5-ALA treatment. The 5-ALA treatment decreased the sperm ATP levels. Both the caffeine treatment and glucose treatment decreased the sperm motility during incubation period.
Conclusion:
5-ALA might increase sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization to utilize the ATP for enhancing sperm movement.
Insights
5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) enhances chicken sperm motility by increasing mitochondrial membrane depolarization, potentially utilizing ATP for improved movement. This study explored 5-ALA
Area of Science:
- Animal Reproduction
- Biochemistry
- Sperm Physiology
Background:
- Sperm motility is crucial for avian fertility.
- Mitochondrial function and ATP production are vital for sperm motility.
- 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a precursor to heme, involved in cellular energy metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) on chicken sperm motility.
- To determine the impact of 5-ALA on sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels.
- To compare 5-ALA's effects with caffeine and glucose treatments.
Main Methods:
- Chicken semen was treated with varying concentrations of 5-ALA in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
- Sperm motility parameters were assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).
- Mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ATP levels were measured using specialized assay kits.
Main Results:
- A 0.05 mM concentration of 5-ALA significantly improved sperm motility, progressive motility, and velocity parameters.
- 5-ALA treatment increased sperm mitochondrial membrane depolarization.
- Conversely, 5-ALA decreased sperm ATP levels, while caffeine and glucose reduced motility.
Conclusions:
- 5-ALA may enhance sperm movement by increasing mitochondrial membrane depolarization, leading to ATP utilization.
- These findings suggest a potential role for 5-ALA in improving sperm quality in poultry.
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