PUBLICATION

Upregulation of uncoupling protein Ucp2 through acute cold exposure increases post-thaw sperm quality in zebrafish

Authors
Wang, G., Kang, N., Gong, H., Luo, Y., Bai, C., Chen, Y., Ji, X., Huang, C., Dong, Q.
ID
ZDB-PUB-150927-2
Date
2015
Source
Cryobiology   71(3): 464-71 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
Cold exposure, Sperm cryopreservation, Uncoupling protein (Ucp2), Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Cryopreservation/methods*
  • Ion Channels/metabolism*
  • Lipid Peroxidation/physiology
  • Male
  • Mitochondria/metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress/physiology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
  • Spermatozoa/metabolism*
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • Up-Regulation
  • Zebrafish/metabolism
PubMed
26408847 Full text @ Cryobiology
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays an important role in sperm damage during cryopreservation. Mild mitochondrial uncoupling has been shown to reduce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thus mitigate oxidative stress. Uncoupling protein (Ucp2) regulates mitochondrial uncoupling and can be induced by temperature fluctuation. In the present study, we explored a novel approach of acute cold exposure on Ucp2 activation and its association with oxidative damage and post-thaw sperm quality in zebrafish. Our study revealed that acute cold exposure of zebrafish at 18°C for 24 h led to significant increase of ucp2 mRNA and Ucp2 protein in zebrafish fresh sperm as well as thawed sperm after cryopreservation. Although cold exposure had no effect on fresh sperm quality except for decreasing lipid peroxidation, sperm collected from cold-exposed zebrafish exhibited higher resistance to cryodamage, which was demonstrated by increased post-thaw motility, decreased lipid peroxidation, increased ATP production, and ultimately increased fertilization success. However, except for reduced lipid peroxidation, we did not observe any significant ROS reduction associated with increased Ucp2 activation in cold-exposed group, suggesting mechanisms other than mitochondrial uncoupling could have contributed to cold exposure associated benefits in post-thaw sperm survival. Nevertheless, our findings indicate that acute cold exposure prior to sperm cryopreservation is beneficial for post-thaw sperm survival in zebrafish, and this novel approach may be used to improve post-thaw sperm quality for other aquatic species.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping