Stallion spermatozoa surviving freezing and thawing experience membrane depolarization and increased intracellular Na+. (3rd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ortega Ferrusola, C.; Anel‐López, L.; Ortiz‐Rodriguez, J. M.; Martin Muñoz, P.; Alvarez, M.; de Paz, P.; Masot, J.; Redondo, E.; Balao da Silva, C.; Morrell, J. M.; Rodriguez Martinez, H.; Tapia, J. A.; Gil, M. C.; Anel, L.; Peña, F. J.
• Is Part Of: Andrology. Volume 5:Number 6(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1174
• Page End: 1182
• Publication Date: 2017-10-03
• Subjects: ATP -- cryopreservation -- flow cytometry -- horse -- Na+‐K+ ATPase -- sperm; Andrology -- Periodicals; 616.65
• DOI: 10.1111/andr.12419
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-2919

Abstract

Summary: In order to gain insight of the modifications that freezing and thawing cause to the surviving population of spermatozoa, changes in the potential of the plasma membrane (Em) and intracellular Na + content of stallion spermatozoa were investigated using flow cytometry. Moreover, caspase 3 activity was also investigated and the functionality of the Na + ‐K + ATPase pump was investigated before and after freezing and thawing. Cryopreservation caused a significant ( p < 0.001) increase in the subpopulation of spermatozoa with depolarized sperm membranes, concomitantly with an increase ( p < 0.05) in intracellular Na + . These changes occurred in relation to activation of caspase 3 ( p < 0.001). Cryopreservation reduced the activity of the Na‐K + pump and inhibition of the Na + ‐K + ATPase pump with ouabain‐induced caspase 3 activation. It is concluded that inactivation of Na + ‐K + ATPase occurs during cryopreservation, an inhibition that could play a role explaining the accelerated senescence of the surviving population of spermatozoa.