Membrane lipids of the stallion spermatozoon in relation to sperm quality and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation.
Lipids were extracted from ejaculated spermatozoa from seven individual stallions to distinguish neutral lipids (NL) and polar lipids (PL) and determine their variation among stallions and their relationship with sperm quality and sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. The isolated fatty acids were correlated with sperm quality (membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and expression of active caspases) and the sensitivity of the sperm plasma membrane to LPO. The miristic (C14: 0), palmitic (C16: 0), stearic (C18: 0) and oleic (C18: 1n9) acids were predominant among the NLs. Within the phospholipid fraction, the docosapentanoic acid (C22: 5n6) was dominant, albeit varying among stallions. Surprisingly, the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was positively correlated with sperm quality and a low propensity for LPO, probably because these particular fatty acids provide a higher fluidity of the plasma membrane. The stallion showing the poorest sperm membrane integrity plus a high level of LPO in his ejaculate had a lower percentage (p<0.05) of this fatty acid in his sperm plasma membranes.
García
B Macías
BM
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Laboratory of Spermatology, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
Fernández
L González
LG
Ferrusola
C Ortega
CO
Salazar-Sandoval
C
C
Rodríguez
A Morillo
AM
Martinez
H Rodríguez
HR
Tapia
J A
JA
Morcuende
D
D
Peña
F J
FJ
D000818:Animals; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D006736:Horses; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D005227:Fatty Acids; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D020169:Caspases