title: Fatty acid content in epididymal fluid and spermatozoa during sperm maturation in dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During sperm maturation, there is a reorganization of fatty acids from plasmatic membrane of the spermatozoa, which allows higher membrane integrity and acquisition of sperm motility. However, the fatty acid profile during sperm maturation remains unclear in dogs. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the fatty acids from the epididymal spermatozoa and plasma during the sperm maturation, and observed changes in the motility and plasmatic membrane parameters. Twenty one adult dogs were used, subsequently to bilateral orchiectomy and epididymal storage, sperm samples were collected from the different segments of the epididymis. Samples were evaluated for conventional microscopy, computer-assisted motility analysis, sperm plasma membrane permeability and the fatty acid analysis (lipids were extracted, transmethylated and analyzed by chromatography).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caput and corpus sperm showed lower values for the motility variables evaluated and plasmatic membrane integrity, indicating different levels of the fatty acids organization. Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were in higher concentrations in the spermatozoa from epididymis cauda. Highlighting the presence of caprylic, stearic and docosahexaenoic acids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate the influence of the fatty acid profile during sperm maturation, assigning physical and chemical changes in sperm cells, essential for fertilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Rua Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, 05508-270 Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ramos Angrimani
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Rua Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, 05508-270 Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcilio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nichi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Rua Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, 05508-270 Brazil.
authors.forename: João Diego A
authors.initials: JDA
authors.lastname: Losano
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Rua Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, 05508-270 Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristina F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lucio
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Rua Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, 05508-270 Brazil.
authors.forename: Gisele A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lima Veiga
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nutrition, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 - 14040-040, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcia V M Junqueira
authors.initials: MVMJ
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Rua Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, 05508-270 Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Vannucchi
keywords: Dogs; Epididymis; Fatty acids; Sperm maturation