Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran
3
Department of Embryology, Reproduction Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACER, Tehran, Iran.
4
Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: Mito-TEMPO, as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, has been reported to improve semen preservation in various species; however, limited information is available on the effect of Mito-TEMPO on storage of equine semen.
Objectives: Accordingly, the current research was designed to investigate the impact of Mito-TEMPO on cooled semen of Dareshuri stallions over a 48-hour storage period.
Methods: In experiment I (n = 7 stallions), the effect of 0 (control group), 25, 50, 100 and 200 μM of Mito-TEMPO was assessed on sperm motility, morphology, viability and plasma membrane integrity at timepoints 0, 24 and 48 hours. In experiment II (n = 4 stallions), the effect of 0 (control group) and 100 μM (the most effective dose found in experiment I) of Mito-TEMPO was evaluated on mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) at timepoints 0, 24 and 48 hours.
Results: In experiment I, dose 100 μM was recognized as the most effective dose of Mito-TEMPO in equine cooled semen as it tended to improve progressive motility (P = 0.095) and enhanced morphology of sperm (P < 0.05). Other doses of Mito-TEMPO also improved sperm morphology (P < 0.05), but did not influence sperm motility (P > 0.05). Viability and plasma membrane integrity were not affected by different doses of Mito-TEMPO (P > 0.05). In experiment II, however, this effective dose of Mito-TEMPO (100 μM) did not significantly impact mitochondrial membrane potential, proportion of live ROS-positive sperm and proportion of dead ROS-positive sperm motility in equine semen (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study indicated that Mito-TEMPO enhanced preservation of cooled equine semen over a 48-hour period, implying that this mitochondria-targeted component could serve as an effective antioxidant in equine semen extender.
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