| Autor: |
Desmet KLJ; Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium., Marei WFA; Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium., Pintelon I; Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium., Bols PEJ; Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium., Leroy JLMR; Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. |
| Abstrakt: |
Elevated non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, present in follicular and oviductal fluid, have been postulated as a causative link between metabolic disorders and subfertility. High NEFA conditions can directly disrupt oocyte maturation and developmental capacity after fertilisation. However, their influence on sperm function and the fertilisation process is not known. This study investigated the fertilisation process under high NEFA conditions. To differentiate between effects on both spermatozoa and oocytes or on spermatozoa only, different experiments were conducted. In the first experiment both gametes were simultaneously incubated during IVF under different conditions: (1) NEFA-free, solvent-free control conditions, (2) solvent control, (3) physiological concentrations of oleic (OA), palmitic (PA) and stearic (SA) acids or (4) pathophysiological concentrations of OA, PA and SA. In the second experiment spermatozoa were incubated (4h) under the same treatment conditions prior to routine IVF. Gamete co-incubation resulted in reduced fertilisation and cleavage rates and increased prevalence of polyspermy. In the second experiment embryo developmental capacity and quality were not affected, although sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were decreased. In conclusion, lipolytic conditions affected the fertilisation process mainly through an effect on the oocyte. Spermatozoa were still able to fertilise even though these conditions reduced sperm function. |
