Mitochondrial Function and Oxidative Stress in Stallion Spermatozoa
Summary
Stallion spermatozoa exhibit one of the highest reliance on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation among mammalian species, sustaining rapid motility and fertilisation potential through efficient adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. This intense mitochondrial activity, however, accompanies elevated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which at physiological levels participate in redox regulation of key thiol switches on sperm proteins but, when unchecked, provoke lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation and loss of membrane integrity. The unique morphology of the equine sperm midpiece, densely packed with active mitochondria, underlies both their exceptional energy capacity and susceptibility to oxidative stress. Maintenance of redox homeostasis involves an array of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, together with mechanisms for repair of oxidative damage. During routine handling—chilling, centrifugation or cryopreservation—this balance is disturbed, with consequences for motility, viability and subsequent embryo development. Advances in live-cell assays of mitochondrial membrane potential and oxygen consumption, alongside proteomic profiling, are enriching our understanding of how mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative insult limit fertility and how tailored extenders or pharmacological additives may mitigate these effects in equine assisted reproduction and conservation programmes.
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Mitochondrial Function and Oxidative Stress in Stallion Spermatozoa publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in stallion spermatozoa across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Oxidative phosphorylation: Mitochondrial process in which electrons pass through the electron transport chain to drive ATP synthesis.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Oxygen-derived free radicals and peroxides that can act as signalling molecules or inflict oxidative damage.
Redox homeostasis: The cellular equilibrium between pro-oxidant and antioxidant processes.
Mitochondrial membrane potential: The voltage difference across the inner mitochondrial membrane essential for ATP generation.
Cryopreservation: The maintenance of cells or tissues at ultra-low temperatures to arrest biological activity and preserve viability.
References
- The Impact of Sperm Metabolism during In Vitro Storage: The Stallion as a Model. BioMed Research International (2016).
- Redox Regulation and Oxidative Stress: The Particular Case of the Stallion Spermatozoa. Antioxidants (2019).
- In Stallion Spermatozoa, Superoxide Dismutase (Cu–Zn) (SOD1) and the Aldo-Keto-Reductase Family 1 Member b (AKR1B1) Are the Proteins Most Significantly Reduced by Cryopreservation. Journal of Proteome Research (2021).
- Centrifugation Force and Time Alter CASA Parameters and Oxidative Status of Cryopreserved Stallion Sperm. Biology (2020).
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