Sperm function, mitochondrial activity and in vivo fertility are associated to their mitochondrial DNA content in pigs  

作　　者：Marc Llavanera Yentel Mateo‑Otero Estel Vinolas‑Vergés Sergi Bonet Marc Yeste 

机构地区：[1]Unit of Cell Biology,Department of Biology,Faculty of Sciences,University of Girona,Girona ES‑17003,Spain [2]Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction(TechnoSperm),Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology,University of Girona,Girona ES‑17003,Spain [3]Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies(ICREA),Barcelona ES‑08010,Spain

出　　处：《Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology》2024年第4期1550-1558,共9页畜牧与生物技术杂志（英文版）

基　　金：funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation,Spain (AGL2017-88329-R, FPU18/00666 and PID2020-113320RB-I00);the Regional Government of Catalonia,Spain (2017-SGR-1229, 2020-FI-B-00412 and 2020-SGR-0900);the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)。

摘　　要：Background Despite their low abundance in sperm, mitochondria have diverse functions in this cell type, includ-ing energy production, signalling and calcium regulation. In humans, sperm mitochondrial DNA content(mtDNAc) has been reported to be negatively linked to sperm function and fertility. Yet, the association between mtDNAc and sperm function in livestock remains unexplored. For this reason, this study aimed to shed some light on the link between mtDNAc and sperm function and fertilising potential in pigs. A qPCR method for mtDNAc quantification was optimised for pig sperm, and the association of this parameter with sperm motility, kinematics, mitochondrial activity, and fertility was subsequently interrogated.Results First, the q PCR method was found to be sensitive and efficient for mtDNAc quantification in pig sperm. By using this technique, mtDNAc was observed to be associated to sperm motility, mitochondrial activity and in vivo, but not in vitro, fertility outcomes. Specifically, sperm with low mtDNAc were seen to exhibit greater motility but decreased mitochondrial activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, samples with lower mtD-NAc showed higher conception and farrowing rates, but similar in vitro fertilisation rates and embryo development, when compared to those with greater mtDNAc.Conclusions These findings enrich our comprehension of the association of mtDNAc with sperm biology, and lay the foundation for future research into employing this parameter as a molecular predictor for sperm function and fer-tility in livestock.

关 键 词：FERTILITY MITOCHONDRIA MOTILITY mtDNA copy number qPCR SPERM 

分 类 号：S828[农业科学—畜牧学]