Effects of mitoquinone (MitoQ) supplementation during boar semen cryopreservation on sperm quality, antioxidant status and mitochondrial proteomics

by Selleckchem | Sep 14 2023

Mitochondria are the most important organelles and the main reactive oxygen species producers in spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone (MitoQ) supplementation in boar semen extender during cryopreservation on sperm quality, antioxidant status and the changes of sperm mitochondrial proteomic profile. Semen collected from 10 Large White boars was cryopreserved in lactose-egg yolk extender supplemented with various concentrations of MitoQ (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 μM). After thawing, sperm characteristics, antioxidant status and the abundance of hexose transporters (GLUT 3 and 8) were analyzed. The comprehensive mitochondrial proteomic profiling was performed on spermatozoa in the control and MitoQ10 groups. Supplementation with 10 μM of MitoQ resulted in the highest post-thaw sperm motility and kinematics. Sperm quality, antioxidant capacity and glucose transporter abundance of frozen-thawed boar sperm were also elevated in the MitoQ10 group. Excessive MitoQ (40 μM) supplementation induced a reduction of sperm motility parameters, sperm quality and antioxidant status and the abundance of GLUT3 and 8 proteins. A total of 189 proteins were defied as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) using fold change (FC) > 1.2 with P < 0.05, and 33 of them were dramatically (FC > 1.5) regulated by MitoQ. These DEPs are mainly involved in sperm motility, energy metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Our data suggest that the beneficial effect of MitoQ on cryopreserved boar semen is achieved by regulating sperm antioxidant capacity and the mitochondrial proteins related to motility and metabolism.

Comments:

The study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementing boar semen with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant called mitoquinone (MitoQ) during cryopreservation. The researchers collected semen from 10 Large White boars and cryopreserved it using a lactose-egg yolk extender supplemented with different concentrations of MitoQ (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μM). After thawing, they analyzed various sperm characteristics, antioxidant status, and changes in the mitochondrial proteomic profile of the sperm.

The results showed that supplementation with 10 μM of MitoQ resulted in the highest post-thaw sperm motility and kinematics, indicating better sperm quality. The MitoQ10 group also exhibited elevated antioxidant capacity and increased abundance of hexose transporters (GLUT 3 and 8) in frozen-thawed boar sperm. These findings suggest that MitoQ supplementation at 10 μM improved sperm quality and enhanced the sperm's ability to counteract oxidative stress.

However, the study also found that excessive supplementation of MitoQ at 40 μM had negative effects. It led to a reduction in sperm motility parameters, sperm quality, antioxidant status, and the abundance of GLUT3 and 8 proteins. This suggests that a higher concentration of MitoQ could be detrimental to sperm function and overall quality.

The researchers conducted a comprehensive mitochondrial proteomic profiling and identified 189 proteins as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) using a fold change (FC) threshold of >1.2 with a significance level of P < 0.05. Out of these DEPs, 33 were significantly regulated by MitoQ, with fold changes greater than 1.5. These differentially expressed proteins are primarily involved in sperm motility, energy metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation. The findings indicate that MitoQ supplementation affects the expression of mitochondrial proteins related to sperm function and metabolism.

In conclusion, the study suggests that supplementing boar semen extender with MitoQ at a concentration of 10 μM during cryopreservation can improve sperm quality by enhancing antioxidant capacity and regulating mitochondrial proteins associated with motility and energy metabolism. However, excessive MitoQ supplementation may have detrimental effects on sperm quality and function. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of strategies to enhance sperm cryopreservation protocols and improve fertility outcomes in boars.