[Protection of melatonin against damage of sperm mitochondrial function induced by reactive oxygen species].
OBJECTIVE
To study the damage of mitochondrial function of sperm induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the protection of melatonin (MLT) against the damage.


METHODS
Spermatozoa of normal physiological function selected from semen samples by Percoll gradient centrifugation technique were used as normal sperm models in the present study. Reactive oxygen species were generated by hypoxanthine xanthine oxidase system, and in the presence (or absence) of MLT (6 mmol/L), incubated with normal sperm models for 30 and 60 minutes. After incubation, the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in mitochondria of spermatozoa was assessed by histochemical method, and spermatozoa were labeled with specific fluorescent probe of Rhodamine 123 to measure mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
After normal spermatozoa were incubated with ROS, MMP of spermatozoa significantly decreased, and the activity of SDH almost decreased to zero. However, MLT had effect on reducing the damage of the mitochondrial function of sperm induced by ROS.


CONCLUSIONS
ROS can damage the mitochondrial function of sperm by affecting MMP of spermatozoa and the activity of SDH. MLT can protect sperm mitochondria from the damage induced by ROS through its effective antioxidative potential.
Shang
Xuejun
X
Department of Andrology, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command, PLA, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China. shangxj@androl.cn
Huang
Yufeng
Y
Ye
Zhangqun
Z
Yu
Xiao
X
Gu
Wanjian
W
D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D008550:Melatonin