Effects of cryopreservation on mitochondria of fish spermatozoa
Effects of cryopreservation on mitochondria of fish spermatozoa
Authors
Figueroa Villalobos, Elías
Valdebenito Isler, Iván
Zepeda, Andrea B.
Figueroa, Carolina A.
Dumorne, Kelly
Castillo, Rodrigo L.
Farias, Jorge G.
Valdebenito Isler, Iván
Zepeda, Andrea B.
Figueroa, Carolina A.
Dumorne, Kelly
Castillo, Rodrigo L.
Farias, Jorge G.
Authors
Date
Datos de publicación:
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE,Vol.9,76-87,2017
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Abstract
The development of sperm cryopreservation has enabled transcendental changes to occur in the reproductive biotechnology of both mammals and fish; it has become a basic tool for animal improvement. Nevertheless, these protocols cause damage to cell structure and physiology, altering sperm functioning due to cryo-injuries during freezing and thawing. However, studies of the effects on the structural, functional and genomic stability of the mitochondria in fish spermatozoa during cryopreservation are still lacking. The object of this review was to analyse the effect of cryopreservation on mitochondrial metabolic pathways in fish spermatozoa. This effect is related with the bioenergy mechanism for flagellar movement during the activation of sperm motility. In teleost fish, the mitochondria may be cylindrical, spherical or irregular in shape and adhere in a helicoidal or conical pattern to the middle piece. The salmonidae have only a single mitochondrion, but this may vary in other species; the mitochondria provide the flagellum with energy during sperm motility, when sperm respiration is essential. The effects of cryopreservation can induce structural damage to the mitochondria, altering the biochemical process involved in ATP production and thus causing a reduction in sperm motility. Fragmentation damage to nuclear DNA and diminution in sperm motility is mainly associated with damage to the structure and metabolic functioning of the mitochondrion. A direct correlation exists between the mitochondrial membrane potential (transmembrane integrity, Delta Psi(m)) and the motility and fertilizing capacity of the cryopreserved spermatozoa, confirming that this organelle is the energy nucleus of the spermatozoon and that the cessation or prolongation of motility and successful fertilization depend on the availability of ATP in the spermatozoa. Further works are need to incorporate biotechnology studies, at cell and molecular level, of the possible effects of cryopreservation on mitochondrial DNA, enzymatic or metabolic modifications of the citric acid cycle, and the oxidative phosphorylation process in the inner membrane, as well as studies of the mitochondrial ultrastructure. Thus, mitochondrial dynamics could be established as a potential target for therapeutic strategies.