Novel Use of Imaging Flow Cytometry to Characterize the Relationship Between Abnormal Sperm Morphologies and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Stallion Sperm

Low levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for normal spermatozoal function and are produced by sperm mitochondria as a byproduct of metabolism, but in excess, ROS can cause catastrophic cellular damage and has been correlated with infertility, poor sperm motility and abnormal morphologies in humans (Aziz et. al. Fertility and Sterility. 2004; 2: 349-354). Stallion sperm fuel motility predominantly by oxidative phosphorylation-produced ATP, requiring high basal rates of mitochondrial function.
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research