Elamipretide enhances post-thaw rooster sperm quality by mitigating oxidative stress and optimizing mitochondrial...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Cellular physiology
• Cryobiology

Background:

• Cryopreservation of rooster sperm is crucial for avian breeding programs.
• Oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS) impairs sperm quality during cryopreservation.
• Mitochondria-targeted peptides offer a potential strategy to mitigate cryodamage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of elamipretide in improving post-thaw rooster sperm quality.
• To determine the optimal concentration of elamipretide for cryopreservation.
• To assess the impact of elamipretide on oxidative stress markers and sperm parameters.

Main Methods:

• Rooster sperm were cryopreserved using Lake extender with glycerol.
• Four elamipretide concentrations (0, 6, 9, 12 µmol/L) were tested.
• Post-thaw sperm quality was assessed for motility, kinematics, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, ROS, lipid peroxidation, viability, and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, TAC).

Main Results:

• Sperm motility and straight-line velocity significantly improved at 6 and 9 µmol/L elamipretide.
• Membrane integrity was highest at 9 µmol/L, while ROS production was lowest at 6 µmol/L.
• Mitochondrial activity peaked at 9 µmol/L, but higher concentrations (12 µmol/L) showed diminished effects and potential toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Elamipretide effectively mitigates oxidative stress during rooster sperm cryopreservation.
• A concentration of 9 µmol/L elamipretide optimizes sperm quality parameters post-thaw.
• Elamipretide holds promise for enhancing avian reproductive technologies through improved sperm cryopreservation.