Abstract
Spermatozoa are subjected to drastic changes in temperature, ice crystal formation, and diverse types of stresses (chemical, physical, osmotic, and oxidative) during the cryopreservation process, which severely compromise sperm quality and fertility. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective role of Elamipretide in the cryopreservation of bull's spermatozoa. The study included 36 healthy Simmental bulls with an average age of 2±0.5years housed individually in pens. Two ejaculates were collected from each bull using an artificial vagina at 7 a.m. Subsequently, the semen was extended with animal protein-free commercial BIOXcell® extender (IMV Technologies) to a final concentration of 160×106 spermatozoa/ml, and rated in terms of motile sperm percentage, progressive motility, viability, and morphological abnormality of spermatozoa. Semen samples that showed more than 60% motility and 60% viability, were selected for the experiment. The fresh semen was then divided into five equal fractions. The first fraction was left for the control group (without Elamipretide), to the next were added in succession 0.1; 1; 5; and 10μM of Elamipretide TFA (Trifluoroacetic) (MedChemExpress). After that semen was subjected to freezing and thawing. Next semen was assessed for motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential and acrosome integrity, and antioxidant activity (SOD, CAT, MDA). It has been shown that a concentration of 5 and 10μM proved to be the most effective in terms of tested parameters of the quality of sperm cells subjected to cryopreservation. In conclusion, addition of the Elamipretide to the cryopreservation extender significantly improved frozen-thawed sperm cells quality and their function. The results of this study indicate that Elamipretide can be used as a cryoprotective agent to protect cells against the devastating effects of oxidative stress and increasing sperm survival after cryopreservation.
Highlights
Spermatozoa are subjected to drastic changes in temperature, ice crystal formation, and diverse types of stresses during the cryopreservation process, which severely compromise sperm quality and fertility [1,2,3]
It has been shown that a concentration of 5 and 10 μM proved to be the most effective in terms of tested parameters of the quality of sperm cells subjected to cryopreservation
The results of this study indicate that Elamipretide can be used as a cryoprotective agent to protect cells against the devastating effects of oxidative stress and increasing sperm survival after cryopreservation
Summary
Spermatozoa are subjected to drastic changes in temperature, ice crystal formation, and diverse types of stresses (chemical, physical, osmotic, and oxidative) during the cryopreservation process, which severely compromise sperm quality and fertility [1,2,3]. The continuous optimization of cryopreservation methods has improved the quality of sperm after freezing, changes in sperm structure, epigenetic modification and the long-term effects caused by freezing injury including enzyme inactivation, ion changes, and oxidative stress cannot be ignored, and the optimization of the freezing system is still an ongoing task that needs further research [4,5]. Elamipretide is able to restore energy production, to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species, and to increase the energy (adenosine triphosphate [ATP]) supplied to affected cells [7,8]. As recent studies show can increase the synthesis of ATP and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production independently of the specific mitochondrial abnormality causing the impaired mitochondrial respiration [9,10]. We aimed to investigate the protective role of Elamipretide in the cryopreservation of bull's sperm
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
