Protective effect of resveratrol on biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by iron/ascorbate in mouse spermatozoa

Nutrients. 2014 Jan 27;6(2):489-503. doi: 10.3390/nu6020489.

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 (Δѱm); (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 Δѱm (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.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Ascorbic Acid / adverse effects*
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Female
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Resveratrol
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects*
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Stilbenes
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Resveratrol