Melatonin affects red deer spermatozoa motility and physiology in capacitating and non‐capacitating conditions. (4th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernández‐Alegre, Estela; Lacalle, Estíbaliz; Soriano‐Úbeda, Cristina; Carlos Domínguez, Juan; Casao, Adriana; Martínez‐Pastor, Felipe
• Is Part Of: Reproduction in domestic animals. Volume 57(2022)Supplement 5
• Page Start: 82
• Page End: 85
• Publication Date: 2022-05-04
• Subjects: melatonin -- red deer -- sperm capacitation -- sperm physiology -- spermatozoon; Animal breeding -- Periodicals; Veterinary pathology -- Periodicals; Livestock -- Breeding -- Periodicals; 636.082
• DOI: 10.1111/rda.14137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0936-6768

Abstract

Abstract: Melatonin affects sperm physiology, possibly through membrane receptors. Effects were tested at low concentrations (1 pM, 100 pM, 10 nM and 1 µM) in red deer epididymal spermatozoa as a model for high‐seasonality species. Samples were incubated with melatonin as uncapacitated or capacitating conditions (heparin) and evaluated for motility and physiology (flow cytometry). Most effects occurred at low concentrations (nM‐pM), mainly protecting from apoptosis and maintaining acrosomal integrity, suggesting a role for membrane receptors rather than a direct antioxidant effect. Intracellular calcium was not affected, differing from other studies and perhaps because of the epididymal origin. This study supports the relevance of melatonin on sperm physiology and could contribute to the application of reproductive technologies in wild ruminants.