Coenzyme Q-10 improves preservation of mitochondrial functionality and actin structure of cryopreserved stallion sperm

Author(s)

Renata Lançoni ^[1] ; Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini ^[2] ; Valdemar De Giuli Júnior ^[3] ; Carla Patricia Teodoro de Carvalho ^[4] ; Gabriela Bertaiolli Zoca ^[5] ; Laura Nataly Garcia-Oliveros ^[6] ; Leonardo Batissaco ^[7] ; Letícia Zoccolaro Oliveira ^[8] ; Rubens Paes de Arruda ^[9]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Departamento de Reprodução Animal - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Reprodução Animal - Brasil

^[3] Central Internacional de Reprodução Equina Rancho das Américas - Brasil

^[4] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Reprodução Animal - Brasil

^[5] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Reprodução Animal - Brasil

^[6] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Reprodução Animal - Brasil

^[7] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Reprodução Animal - Brasil

^[8] Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Clínica Veterinária e Cirurgia - Brasil

^[9] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Reprodução Animal - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Animal Reproduction; v. 18, n. 1 2021-04-12.

Abstract

Abstract Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) is a cofactor for mitochondrial electron transport chain and may be an alternative to improve sperm quality of cryopreserved equine semen. This work aimed to improve stallion semen quality after freezing by adding CoQ-10 to the cryopreservation protocol. Seven saddle stallions were utilized. Each animal was submitted to five semen collections and freezing procedures. For cryopreservation, each ejaculate was divided in three treatments: 1) Botucrio® diluent (control); 2) 50 μmol CoQ-10 added to Botucrio® diluent; 3) 1 mmol CoQ-10 added to Botucrio® diluent. Semen batches were analyzed for sperm motility characteristics (CASA), plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (by fluorescence probes propidium iodide, Hoechst 33342, FITC-PSA and JC-1, respectively), alterations in cytoskeletal actin (phalloidin-FITC) and mitochondrial function (diaminobenzidine; DAB). The 1 mmol CoQ-10 treatment presented higher (P<0.05) amount (66.8%) of sperm cells with fully stained midpiece (indicating high mitochondrial activity) and higher (P<0.05) amount (81.6%) of cells without actin reorganization to the post-acrosomal region compared to control group (60.8% and 76.0%, respectively). It was concluded that the addition of 1 mmol CoQ-10 to the freezing diluent was more effective in preserving mitochondria functionality and cytoskeleton of sperm cells submitted to cryopreservation process. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/14626-7 - Ubiquitin role in stallions with high and low freezability and application of coenzyme Q-10 as a promoter of sperm mitochondrial function
• Grantee: Rubens Paes de Arruda
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants