Lipid Peroxidation in Sperm Cells and the Creation of Reactive Oxygen Species: A Review

Abstract

The extended storage of spermatozoa represents a pivotal tool for advancing reproductive technologies in the realm of animal medicine. Cryopreservation of sperm stands out as a valuable technique for the preservation of sperm cells, offering the potential for the enhancement of genetic traits and the amplification of selected reproductive characteristics. Over the years, diverse methodologies have been investigated for the cryopreservation of mammalian sperm cells, involving various techniques. However, the cryopreservation of sperm induces substantial biological and functional alterations in spermatozoa. Sperm cell membrane consists high amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Due to the redundancy of fats and cholesterol, reactive oxygen species that were created by lipid peroxidation are prone to impact membranes and compromising their functional capabilities. Prolonged storage of spermatozoa induces consequential biological and functional alterations in sperm cells, thereby compromising their capacity for fertilization. Furthermore, abrupt temperature fluctuations, exemplified by cold shock, and the dynamic processes of ice formation and dissolution during freezing-thawing procedures, exert adverse effects on the structural and functional integrity of key sperm components, including the acrosome, nucleus, mitochondria, axoneme, and plasma membranes. Also, toxic effects of hydroperoxides cause degeneration on cell membranes and altering cell pH. The effects of reactive oxygen species over lipids have one of the strongest impacts on biological systems. This article is a brief review that highlights some of the substances that were created on the way of cryopreservation with the lipid peroxidation fact that called as “Reactive Oxygen Species”.