Zhu Yanjin, Yu Jun, Yang Qinhui, Xie Yumian, Li Xupeng, Chen Zhuo, Xiong Yan, Fu Wei, He Honghong, Yin Shi, Lan Daoliang, Li Jian, Xiong Xianrong
Key Laboratory for Animal Science of National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Exploitation of Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Anim Reprod Sci. 2025 Feb;273:107680. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107680. Epub 2024 Dec 19.
Low-temperature preservation of yak semen during transportation and conservation is crucial to accelerate yak breeding. The effects of low-temperature cooling on yak semen quality, however, are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the dose-dependent effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant "MitoQ" on the motility, oxidative status, and mitochondrial function of yak semen during low-temperature preservation. Semen samples were collected from six adult healthy Maiwa yaks and preserved at 4 ℃ in semen extender containing 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 nM MitoQ, respectively. Firstly, the motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and abnormity index of yak spermatozoa were evaluated to determine the optimal MitoQ concentration. Next, the effect of MitoQ at the optimal concentration on spermatozoa antioxidant capacity, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and superoxide dismutase content (SOD) levels, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed. Up to 96 h of low-temperature storage, 200 nM MitoQ showed the most optimal effect on motility, membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity (P < 0.05) but not on sperm morphology (P > 0.05). Also, 200 nM MitoQ markedly reduced yak spermatozoa ROS and MDA contents for up to 48 h of low-temperature storage (P < 0.05). Finally, 200 nM MitoQ significantly improved T-AOC, SOD, and mitochondrial membrane potential for up to 24, 48, and 72 h of low-temperature storage, respectively (P < 0.05). In summary, semen extender supplementation with 200 nM MitoQ is beneficial for low-temperature yak semen preservation via improving the oxidative status.
牦牛精液在运输和保存过程中的低温保存对于加速牦牛繁殖至关重要。然而，低温冷却对牦牛精液质量的影响却知之甚少。本研究旨在确定线粒体靶向抗氧化剂“MitoQ”在低温保存过程中对牦牛精液活力、氧化状态和线粒体功能的剂量依赖性影响。从六头成年健康麦洼牦牛采集精液样本，分别保存在含有0、50、100、200和400 nM MitoQ的精液稀释液中，于4℃保存。首先，评估牦牛精子的活力、膜完整性、顶体完整性和畸形指数，以确定最佳MitoQ浓度。接下来，分析最佳浓度的MitoQ对精子抗氧化能力的影响，包括活性氧（ROS）和丙二醛（MDA）含量、总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）和超氧化物歧化酶含量（SOD）水平，以及线粒体膜电位。在低温保存长达96小时的过程中，200 nM MitoQ对活力、膜完整性和顶体完整性显示出最优化的效果（P<0.05），但对精子形态没有影响（P>0.05）。此外，在低温保存长达48小时的过程中，200 nM MitoQ显著降低了牦牛精子的ROS和MDA含量（P<0.05）。最后，200 nM MitoQ分别在低温保存24、48和72小时时显著提高了T-AOC、SOD和线粒体膜电位（P<0.05）。总之，在精液稀释液中添加200 nM MitoQ有利于通过改善氧化状态来低温保存牦牛精液。
