Melatonin affects red deer spermatozoa motility and physiology in capacitating and non‐capacitating conditions

[EN] 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 co...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Fernández Alegre, Estela, Lacalle Fernández, Estíbaliz, Soriano Úbeda, Cristina de las Mercedes, Domínguez Fernández de Tejerina, Juan Carlos, Casao, Adriana, Martínez Pastor, Felipe
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad de León
Repositorio:BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León
OAI Identifier:oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/15380
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10612/15380
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biología
Melatonin
Red deer
Sperm capacitation
Sperm physiology
Spermatozoon
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] 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.