title: Fluorescent probes and flow cytometry to assess rat sperm integrity and mitochondrial function.
abstract: Fluorescent assessment of cellular integrity and mitochondrial function by flow cytometry can provide a rapid and precise means of determining the functional status of large numbers of spermatozoa. In the present study, rat sperm viability was assessed with SYBR-14 and PI and sperm mitochondria were differentially labeled with JC-1. Sperm samples of variable viability were prepared using varying proportions of fresh and frozen spermatozoa. SYBR-14 stained sperm correlated well with expected sperm viability (r = 0.98). Motile sperm stained with JC-1 appeared orange in the midpiece indicating a high mitochondrial membrane potential whereas immotile sperm with a low membrane potential stained green. The percentage of spermatozoa staining orange was highly correlated (r = 0.99) with expected sperm viability. Flow cytometry using specific fluorescent probes is a useful technique for detecting changes in rat sperm plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial function in large numbers of spermatozoa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Gravance
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Garner
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D011419:Propidium; D051381:Rats; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011419:Propidium