Effects of astaxanthin on plasma membrane function and fertility of boar sperm during cryopreservation.

Mammalian sperm is highly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the cryopreservation process. Astaxanthin (AST), a red pigment of the carotenoid family, is recognized as having a variety of beneficial biological activities and effects, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory. The present study aimed to investigate whether the presence of AST protected boar sperm from ROS stress during cryopreservation. Boar sperm was diluted with a freezing medium supplemented with different concentrations of AST (0, 0.5, 1, 2, or 5 µM). The addition of AST, especially at a concentration of 2 µM, exerted positive effects on post-thaw sperm motility parameters. Meanwhile, sperm plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity of post-thaw sperm were significantly increased, while lipid peroxidation was inhibited in response to 2 µM AST treatment. Interestingly, compared to the control, supplementation with 2 µM AST increased unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) levels and decreased saturated fatty acids (SFAs) content in post-thaw sperm, leading to a decreased ratio of SFAs/UFAs in the AST group. In conclusion, the addition of AST to freezing extenders inhibited lipid peroxidation and regulated fatty acid composition of the sperm membrane, improved post-thaw sperm quality, and had no adverse effect on boar sperm in vitro fertilization (IVF) capacity and potential for embryonic development. Our data provide a novel insight into understanding the mechanisms of AST concerning protecting boar sperm quality against ROS damage during cryopreservation.

Effect of L-carnitine on sperm quality during liquid storage of boar semen.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the pig semen characteristics during storage. METHODS: Spermatozoa samples were examined for spermatozoa quality and then randomly divided into 5 groups: 0 (control), 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mM L-carnitine. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and antioxidant parameters (total reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde) were evaluated after 0, 3, 5, and 10 day cooledstorage at 17°C. Moreover, ATP content, mitochondria activity as well as sperm-binding and in vitro fertilizing ability of preserved boar sperm were also investigated. RESULTS: Supplementation with 50 mM L-carnitine could effectively maintain boar sperm quality parameters such as sperm motility and membrane integrity. Besides, we found that L-carnitine had positive effects on boar sperm quality mainly through improving antioxidant capacities and enhancing ATP content and mitochondria activity. Interestingly, by assessing the effect of L-carnitine on sperm fertility and developmental potential, we discovered that the extender containing L-carnitine could improve sperm quality and increase the number of sperms bounding to zona pellucida, without improving in vitro fertility and development potential. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that the proper addition of L-carnitine to the semen extender improved boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17°C.

[Seasonal variation characteristics of phosphorus speciation in the sediment of Changshou Lake].

To further know the seasonal variation characteristics of phosphorus species in lake sediment, the contents of different phosphorus species in the surface sediment sampling from Changshou Lake were determined by using the SMT sequential extraction method in July and November, 2009, and March, 2010. The contents of total phosphorus (TP) basically show an order of the low-water period, high-water period, and normal-water period from high to low, and the maximum appeared in Shoudao (2960.29 mg/kg) while the minimum in Guanjiakou (586.05 mg/kg). The mass fractions of phosphorus associated with hydrous ferric/aluminum oxides (Fe/Al-P) and organic phosphorus (OP) in TP at all sampling sits are in an order of the normal-water period, high-water period, and low-water period from high to low, and the maximum of Fe/Al-P appeared in Lewen (40.01%) while that of OP in the dam mouth (72.44%). The mass fraction of phosphorus bound to calcium salt (Ca-P) in TP is in an order of the low-water period, normal-water period, and high-water period, and the maximum appeared in Baibudang (15.52%). These results suggested that the phosphorus speciation in the sediment of Changshou Lake shows obviously temporal and spatial distribution characteristics, and Fe/Al-P is mainly influenced by pH of the overlying water, while OP is not apparently influenced by dissolved oxygen (DO).