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

Sperm cryopreservation plays an important role in the artificial insemination (AI) industry. However, use of the freeze-thawed buck sperm is limited due to the insufficient number of sperm with good biological functions. Mitochondria are the most sensitive organelles to cryopreservation damage in sperm. This study was conducted to determine the effects of MitoQ, the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, in a soy lecithin-based extender on the quality parameters of Markhoz buck sperm after the freezing and thawing process. Semen samples were collected and diluted in the extender, divided into five equal aliquots and supplemented with ۰, ۱, ۱۰, ۱۰۰ and ۱۰۰۰ nM MitoQ and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, sperm motility were measured. The use of ۱۰ and ۱۰۰ nM MitoQ resulted in higher (P≤۰.۰۵) total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM) compared to the other groups. In conclusion, MitoQ can increase sperm motility by regulating mitochondrial function during the cryopreservation process of buck sperm and could be an effective additive in the cryopreservation medium to protect sperm quality.

کلیدواژه ها:

Buck ، Cryopreservation ، MitoQ ، Sperm