Coenzyme Q-10 improves preservation of mitochondrial functionality and actin structure of cryopreserved stallion sperm

• Published in: Animal reproduction 2021-03, Vol.18 (1), p.e20200218-e20200218
• Main Authors: Lançoni, Renata, Celeghini, Eneiva Carla Carvalho, Giuli, Valdemar De, de Carvalho, Carla Patricia Teodoro, Zoca, Gabriela Bertaiolli, Garcia-Oliveros, Laura Nataly, Batissaco, Leonardo, Oliveira, Letícia Zoccolaro, de Arruda, Rubens Paes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY; Original
• ISSN: 1806-9614; 1984-3143; 1984-3143
• DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0218

Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10) is a cofactor for mitochondrial electron transport chain and may be an alternative to improve sperm quality of cryopreserved equine semen. This work aimed to improve stallion semen quality after freezing by adding CoQ-10 to the cryopreservation protocol. Seven saddle stallions were utilized. Each animal was submitted to five semen collections and freezing procedures. For cryopreservation, each ejaculate was divided in three treatments: 1) Botucrio® diluent (control); 2) 50 μmol CoQ-10 added to Botucrio® diluent; 3) 1 mmol CoQ-10 added to Botucrio® diluent. Semen batches were analyzed for sperm motility characteristics (CASA), plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (by fluorescence probes propidium iodide, Hoechst 33342, FITC-PSA and JC-1, respectively), alterations in cytoskeletal actin (phalloidin-FITC) and mitochondrial function (diaminobenzidine; DAB). The 1 mmol CoQ-10 treatment presented higher (P