Preservation of the quality and fertility potential of post-thawed rooster sperm using MitoQ

Cryopreservation of rooster spermatozoa is an efficient procedure to spread qualified semen samples for reproductive goals in commercial flocks, but the freeze-thawing process reduces the quality and fertility potential of post-thawed sperm cells. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of the mitochondria -targeted antioxidant MitoQ on rooster sperm quality and fertility potential preservation during freeze -thawing process. Semen samples were collected and diluted in the Lake medium, assigned into five equal aliquots, supplemented with 0,1,10,100 and 1000 nM MitoQ, and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, sperm motility, membrane functionality, abnormal morphology, mitochondria active potential, acrosome integrity, viability, apoptosis status, lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, ROS concentration and fertility potential were evaluated. According to the results, freezing extender sup-plementation with 10 and 100 nM MitoQ presented higher (P & LE; 0.05) total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity, membrane functionality, mitochondria active potential, acrosome integrity and viability compared to the other groups. On the other hand, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis rate, DNA fragmentation and ROS concentration were lower (P & LE; 0.05) in groups received 10 and 100 nM MitoQ compared to other groups. Moreover, fertility rate was higher in groups received 10 and 100 nM MitoQ compared to control group. Therefore, MitoQ is able to preserve quality parameters and fertility potential of post-thawed spermatozoa in rooster and it could be an effective additive for supplementation of rooster's semen cryopreservation medium during reproductive programs.& COPY; 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ on the quality and fertility potential of rooster sperm during the freeze-thawing process. The results showed that supplementation with 10 and 100 nM MitoQ preserved the motility, integrity, and viability of post-thawed sperm, while reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage. Additionally, these groups exhibited higher fertility rates. Therefore, MitoQ can be an effective additive for improving the preservation of rooster spermatozoa.