Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress Induced by Iron/Ascorbate in Mouse Spermatozoa

Abstract

Resveratrol (RVT) is a polyphenolic compound found mainly in the grape and attributed with various pharmacological properties, among them their antioxidant activity. In the present study, we assess the antioxidant activity of resveratrol on oxidative damage induced by ferrous iron/ascorbate (100 µM/150 µM) in sperm of CD1+ mice. We evaluated several parameters in spermatozoa treated with or without resveratrol: (i) sperm quality analysis; (ii) mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm); (iii) ROS generation; (iv) superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity; (v) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity; (vi) lipid peroxidation; (vii) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) capability. Spermatozoa treated with RVT (15 µg/mL) before ferrous iron/ascorbate treatment exhibited: a significant increase in motility (8-fold), a significant increase in viability (2-fold), a significant increase in Δψm (1.15-fold), accompanied with a significant decrease in the generation of ROS (4.96-fold), a significant decrease in GPX activity (1.32-fold), and a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation concentration (10.29-fold) relative to spermatozoa treated with ferrous iron/ascorbate; however, no changes in SOD activity were observed. Finally, spermatozoa treated with RVT before ferrous iron/ascorbate treatment showed a significant increase in oocyte fertilization (1.2-fold), relative to spermatozoa treated with ferrous iron/ascorbate. These results suggest that RVT possesses antioxidant properties that may prevent the deleterious effects produced by oxidative damage on spermatozoa, resulting in the maintenance of fertility.

Therapeutic Effect of Resveratrol on Morphine-Induced Damage in Male Reproductive System of Mice by Reducing Nitric Oxide Serum Level

“…Our findings were in line with studies which found resveratrol, as an antioxidant, had good effects on sperm production and motility (Mojica-Villegas et al, 2014). Oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and changes in membrane properties induced by morphine resulted in the death of germ cells and reduced the sperm morphology and motility (Venkatesh et al, 2009), while antioxidants like resveratrol protected sperms from damage induced by free radicals through scavenging them (Ourique et al).…”

Induced lipid peroxidation in ram sperm: semen profile, DNA fragmentation and antioxidant status

“…One of the most widely used techniques to assess semen oxidative status is the measurement of lipid peroxidation by-products after incubation with an OS promoter system, thus evaluating sperm susceptibility to an oxidative environment (Aitken et al 1993, Bansal & Bilaspuri 2008, Simõ es et al 2013, Mojica-Villegas et al 2014. In rams, there is little data about the OS effect on sperm DNA packaging and fragmentation, especially under physiological conditions.…”

Iron and copper in male reproduction: a double-edged sword

“…Furthermore, resveratrol may decrease germ cell apoptosis [174,175]. At the same time, Mojica-Villegas et al [138] and Shin et al [173] showed that resveratrol has the capacity to inhibit mitochondrial ROS production, disruption of membrane potential and permeability transition, thereby protecting the key intracellular organelle against the oxidative stress promoted by FeAA. Moreover, resveratrol has a cytoprotective effect against iron-related oxidative burst, as illustrated by the inhibition of apoptosis and alterations in apoptotic markers [173].…”

“…Finally, lipid peroxidation as a consequence of the Fecatalyzed Fenton reaction was previously observed in human [137], mouse [138], goat [139], bovine [140] and equine spermatozoa [141].…”