The effects of MitoQ as a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant in a plant-based extender on buck sperm motility during cooling

One of the problems with the refrigerated storage of buck semen is the short shelf life. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by sperm cells are a major obstacle to successful cooled semen storage. In this regard, the mitochondria are the most sensitive organelles to cooling damage in sperm. Consequently, this study was aimed to determine the impacts of Mito-quinol (MitoQ( , a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, in a soy lecithin containing extender on the quality of goat semen during cooling and storage at ۴ °C. Semen samples from Markhoz goats were collected and pooled. Then, samples were diluted in the extender and divided into five equal aliquots and supplemented with ۰ (control), ۱, ۱۰, ۱۰۰, and ۱۰۰۰ nM of MitoQ and stored at ۴ °C for ۶۰ h. Finally, total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM) were measured at ۰, ۳۰, and ۶۰ h of cooling period. According to the current results, higher (P≤۰.۰۵) rates of TM and PM were observed in MQ۱۰ and MQ۱۰۰ groups than groups of MQ۰, MQ۱, and MQ۱۰۰۰ at ۳۰ and ۶۰ h cooling storage. Consequently, MitoQ can increase sperm motility by regulating mitochondrial function during cooling of the buck sperm and could be an effective additive in the cooling medium to protect sperm motility.

کلیدواژه ها:

Buck ، Cooling ، MitoQ ، Sperm