| Abstrakt: |
Simple Summary: This study explores the impact of inflammation on sperm motility of goats, and investigates the potential protective role of quercetin, a natural compound, in preserving sperm functionality. Sperm motility is essential for successful fertilization, yet it is susceptible to impairment by inflammation. Neutrophils, key cellular mediator in the inflammatory responses, which compromise sperm through releasing NETs, phagocytosis and induction of oxidative stress. Quercetin, derived from the plant Cuscuta Chinensis, is known for its antioxidant properties and ability to protect sperm from oxidative damage. In this study, it was found that neutrophils, when activated by sperm, significantly decreased sperm motility and integrity. However, quercetin treatment effectively inhibited the formation of NETs and reduced oxidative stress, helping to preserve sperm motility and the integrity of sperm's plasma membrane and acrosome. The results showed that quercetin had no harmful effects on sperm or neutrophils and improved sperm survival and motility. These findings suggest that quercetin could be developed as a potential sperm protector, offering a new approach to improving fertility rates in livestock by mitigating the detrimental effects of inflammation and oxidative stress on sperm quality. Enhancing or protecting sperm motility has always been a pivotal approach to improving the ewe pregnancy rate. Sperm motility is highly susceptible to the immune status of the reproductive tract. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been demonstrated to capture sperm and impair its motility in human, swine, and goat species. Quercetin is a flavonoid derived from Cuscuta Chinensis Lam., which can protect sperm from oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated whether inflammation decreases sperm motility and tried to clarify the potential protective mechanism of quercetin on goat sperm motility. Sperm-triggered NETs were analyzed by immunofluorescence analysis. Sperm acrosome integrity was detected by using giemsa staining. Quercetin exhibited no cytotoxicity towards sperm and PMNs within the concentration range of 20–80 μM. PMNs impaired both the survival rate and rapid linear motility of sperm, while quercetin significantly enhanced these parameters. PMNs captured sperm through NETs composed of DNA, citrullinated histone 3 (citH3), and neutrophil elastase (NE); however, quercetin effectively inhibited the release of sperm-stimulated NETs. The stimulation of PMNs with sperm resulted in a significant increase in levels of ROS and MDA, which decreased by quercetin. Moreover, PMNs caused integrity violation to both the plasma membrane and acrosome in sperm; this effect was significantly alleviated by quercetin. In conclusion, quercetin effectively ameliorated PMN-reduced sperm motility through the inhibition of NETs and oxidative stress, and preserving sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, thereby providing preliminary insights into the underlying mechanisms and theoretical support for the development of potential sperm protectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
