RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Reproductive toxicity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on spermatozoa is well established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to show the potential benefits of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) as a strong antioxidant in alleviating the reproductive toxicity of LPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sperm cells and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from healthy NMRI mice (body weights ranged from 25 to 35 g, 100 females and 200 males). Sperm cells were treated with varying doses of ALA (0.01, 0.02, and 0.04 mm) and 0.01 µg/mL of LPS for 4 h. The quality of spermatozoa (ROS production, DNA fragmentation, and spontaneous acrosome reaction), sperm fertilizability, and the consequent developmental competence of oocytes inseminated with ALA/LPS-treated spermatozoa were recorded. RESULTS: The results showed that 0.04 mm of ALA abrogated LPS-reduced sperm motility, viability, ROS production, spontaneous acrosome reaction, fertilizability, and developmental competence. In addition, 0.04 mm ALA significantly reverted the negative effects of LPS on inner cell mass (ICM) cell counts, total cell number (TCM), and ratio between ICM and TCM. DISCUSSION: Our data showed that ALA significantly could abrogate the negative effects of LPS on sperm quality and oocyte developmental competence. Therefore, ALA had the capacity for protecting sperm cells from LPS-induced damage and ensured fertilization and developmental competency. CONCLUSION: These in vitro findings suggested a therapeutic role for ALA in reducing the negative effects of LPS on spermatozoa and early embryonic development.