Semen quality, lipid peroxidation, and seminal plasma antioxidant status in horses with different intensities of physical exercise

Helena Härtlová,Antonín Černocký,Lukáš Zita,Petra Klabanová,Jiří Mamica,Radko Rajmon,Iva Krontorádová

doi:10.2754/avb201382010031

Helena Härtlová, Antonín Černocký + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb201382010031

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare markers of semen quality, sperm membrane damage, and the seminal plasma antioxidant activity in warmblood stallions with and without sport workload stress. Four stallions were used for breeding only (control) and four both for breeding and competition in jumping. Semen samples were collected at 14-day intervals (from June to August) from each stallion (5 ejaculates per stallion). Immediately after sperm collection, a conventional examination of the ejaculate was processed. Catalytic activities of enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanin aminotransferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and indicator of lipoperoxidation - F2αisoprostanes were measured in samples of seminal plasma. Contrary to basic semen quality indicators, the values of seminal plasma pH, aspartate aminotransferase and alanin aminotransferase were significantly (P< 0.05) impaired in the physically stressed stallions. Also, the level of F2αisoprostanes and the activity of superoxide dismutase were significantly (P <0.05) increased by stress. The antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathion peroxidase increased during the monitored period and reflected changes in F2αisoprostane concentration. We can conclude that even the conventional basic sperm indicators stay within the reference ranges of the biochemical indicators of seminal plasma such as pH or AST/ALT activity may be negatively influenced by sport workload stress. Increased concentrations of F2α isoprostanes indicate that lipoperoxidation can be a mechanism of cell membrane destabilization, which is counteracted by an increase of antioxidant enzyme activities. This is the first report of oxidative stress symptoms in normospermic equine semen in relation to stallion sport workload.

Highlights

Reproductive capability of stallions is considerably influenced by the quality of their sperm
Catalytic activities of enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanin aminotransferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and indicator of lipoperoxidation - F2α isoprostanes were measured in samples of seminal plasma
The antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathion peroxidase increased during the monitored period and reflected changes in F2α isoprostane concentration

Summary

Introduction

Reproductive capability of stallions is considerably influenced by the quality of their sperm. Lowlevel ROS generation appears to be important in the regulation of the physiological function of sperm (Sanocka et al 1997), an increase in ROS non-regulated by the production of antioxidants causes oxidative stress (Aitken 2006) Such situation occurs in processes that increase the tissue and cell oxygen requirements, e.g. physical exercise (Avellini et al 1999). Spermatozoa have a higher unsaturated fatty acid and sterol content They are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to lipid peroxidation sperm membranes in the presence of ROS (Aziz et al 2004). Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants play a very important role in prevention of the effects of ROS Lack of these antioxidants increases vulnerability of tissues and cells to oxygen reactive forms and increases the risk of oxidative stress (Aitken and Baker 2004). The aim of this study was to compare markers of semen quality, sperm membrane damage, and the seminal plasma antioxidant capacity in stallions with different intensities of physical exercise

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