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Mitochonic Acid 5 Increases Ram Sperm Quality by Improving Mitochondrial Function during Storage at 4 °C
Ruyuan Wang1, Luwei Liu1, Lingjiang Min1
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changcheng Road, Qingdao 266109, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|February 10, 2024
Summary
Supplementing ram sperm extenders with mitochonic acid 5 (MA-5) significantly improves sperm quality during chilled storage. MA-5 enhances motility, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function, preserving sperm viability.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Sperm Preservation
- Mitochondrial Function
Background:
- Liquid storage of ram sperm at 4 °C causes damage via cold shock, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress.
- Existing preservation methods can negatively impact sperm's biochemical, functional, and ultrastructural properties.
- There is a need for improved methods to extend ram sperm's fertile lifespan without compromising quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of mitochonic acid 5 (MA-5) supplementation in ram sperm extenders on chilled sperm quality.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which MA-5 might improve ram sperm preservation.
- To determine the optimal concentration of MA-5 for enhancing chilled ram sperm quality.
Main Methods:
- Ram sperm were diluted in a tris-citrate-glucose extender with varying MA-5 concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 nM).
- Sperm were stored at 4 °C for up to 48 hours.
- Evaluated parameters included motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, ATP content, and expression of MT-ND1 and MT-ND6 proteins via Western blot.
Main Results:
- 10 nM MA-5 significantly increased total and progressive motility, straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), and curvilinear velocity (VCL) compared to control.
- MA-5 supplementation improved sperm membrane and acrosomal integrity, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced ROS levels, and elevated ATP content.
- Western blot analysis showed MA-5 significantly increased MT-ND1 and MT-ND6 protein expression, with 10 nM MA-5 yielding the highest levels.
Conclusions:
- Mitochonic acid 5 (MA-5) supplementation effectively improves ram sperm quality during liquid storage at 4 °C.
- MA-5 enhances sperm quality by maintaining mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress.
- The optimal concentration for MA-5 supplementation appears to be 10 nM for improving chilled ram sperm viability and function.
