Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa
Abstract Oxidative stress during semen processing affects sperm membrane integrity, leading to compromised sperm membrane functions and kinematics, often resulting in reproductive losses. The first objective of the present study explored the effect of Quercetin (QUE) on seminal parameters, i.e., tot...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88525-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849402488450449408 |
|---|---|
| author | Alok Kumar J. K. Prasad Nishant Kumar Sonika Verma Mukul Anand Amrita Behera Ajeet Kumar Jitendra Tiwari Rahul Dhariya Sumit Singhal Vishal Yadav |
| author_facet | Alok Kumar J. K. Prasad Nishant Kumar Sonika Verma Mukul Anand Amrita Behera Ajeet Kumar Jitendra Tiwari Rahul Dhariya Sumit Singhal Vishal Yadav |
| author_sort | Alok Kumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Oxidative stress during semen processing affects sperm membrane integrity, leading to compromised sperm membrane functions and kinematics, often resulting in reproductive losses. The first objective of the present study explored the effect of Quercetin (QUE) on seminal parameters, i.e., total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as well as sperm viability, DNA fragmentation, kinematics, intracellular calcium, and apoptosis. The second objective evaluated fold changes in the transcription of apoptotic regulatory (Bax, Bad, Bcl2, Bcl2L1, Fas, FasL, and Caspase 3, 8, 9, and 10) and calcium-regulating CatSper-1,2,3 and 4 genes of the buck spermatozoa. The final objective was fertility trial of negative control and best-performing treatment group. The study analysed 36 ejaculates from 6 bucks, each ejaculate was then divided into 5 parts and extended using TRIS extender with different concentrations of QUE. The negative control (C) consists of extended semen without the addition of QUE, whereas positive control (T1) had been added with vitamin E at a concentration of 3 mmol/mL. Furthermore, treatment groups 2, 3, and 4 (T2, T3, T4) were supplemented with 10, 20, and 30 µmol of QUE/mL of extended semen. The samples at the post-thaw stage were evaluated for seminal parameters as described in the objectives. Group T3 supplemented with 20 µmol/mL QUE was observed with the best results. QUE at 20 µmol/mL concentration significantly enhanced semen TAC along with various sperm parameters, i.e., viability, kinematics, intracellular calcium and plasma membrane fluidity. QUE at 20 µmol/mL concentration also downregulated pro-apoptotic and upregulated anti-apoptotic genes. Similarly, QUE downregulated caspase family genes and upregulated CatSper genes. Field fertility trials showed improved conception rates in the treatment group. QUE-induced control of oxidants might have contributed to higher TAC and viability. The upregulation of anti-apoptotic and downregulation of pro- and other apoptotic regulatory genes, as well as the upregulation of CatSper genes, suggest a regulatory effect of QUE on sperm apoptosis, and calcium homeostasis. Lower proportion of apoptosis and higher normal intracellular calcium, as estimated through flow cytometry, further validated our findings. Our field fertility trial yielded 58.3% conception rate in the treatment group as compared to 27.6% in the control group. QUE at 20 µmol/mL concentration significantly improved the antioxidant capacity, intra-cellular calcium concentration, and kinematics of goat sperm and subsequently resulted in better fertility as compared to control. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-88d14dc72bfb40118fa8ba9b47e83ddc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-88d14dc72bfb40118fa8ba9b47e83ddc2025-08-20T03:37:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-88525-zQuercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoaAlok Kumar0J. K. Prasad1Nishant Kumar2Sonika Verma3Mukul Anand4Amrita Behera5Ajeet Kumar6Jitendra Tiwari7Rahul Dhariya8Sumit Singhal9Vishal Yadav10Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences UniversityDean, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences UniversityLivestock Production Management Division, National Dairy Research InstituteDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Deen-dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU)Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Deen-dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU)Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Biochemistry, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Deen-dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU)Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Deen-dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU)Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences UniversityPh.D. Scholar, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, ICAR-National Dairy Research InstituteAbstract Oxidative stress during semen processing affects sperm membrane integrity, leading to compromised sperm membrane functions and kinematics, often resulting in reproductive losses. The first objective of the present study explored the effect of Quercetin (QUE) on seminal parameters, i.e., total antioxidant capacity (TAC), as well as sperm viability, DNA fragmentation, kinematics, intracellular calcium, and apoptosis. The second objective evaluated fold changes in the transcription of apoptotic regulatory (Bax, Bad, Bcl2, Bcl2L1, Fas, FasL, and Caspase 3, 8, 9, and 10) and calcium-regulating CatSper-1,2,3 and 4 genes of the buck spermatozoa. The final objective was fertility trial of negative control and best-performing treatment group. The study analysed 36 ejaculates from 6 bucks, each ejaculate was then divided into 5 parts and extended using TRIS extender with different concentrations of QUE. The negative control (C) consists of extended semen without the addition of QUE, whereas positive control (T1) had been added with vitamin E at a concentration of 3 mmol/mL. Furthermore, treatment groups 2, 3, and 4 (T2, T3, T4) were supplemented with 10, 20, and 30 µmol of QUE/mL of extended semen. The samples at the post-thaw stage were evaluated for seminal parameters as described in the objectives. Group T3 supplemented with 20 µmol/mL QUE was observed with the best results. QUE at 20 µmol/mL concentration significantly enhanced semen TAC along with various sperm parameters, i.e., viability, kinematics, intracellular calcium and plasma membrane fluidity. QUE at 20 µmol/mL concentration also downregulated pro-apoptotic and upregulated anti-apoptotic genes. Similarly, QUE downregulated caspase family genes and upregulated CatSper genes. Field fertility trials showed improved conception rates in the treatment group. QUE-induced control of oxidants might have contributed to higher TAC and viability. The upregulation of anti-apoptotic and downregulation of pro- and other apoptotic regulatory genes, as well as the upregulation of CatSper genes, suggest a regulatory effect of QUE on sperm apoptosis, and calcium homeostasis. Lower proportion of apoptosis and higher normal intracellular calcium, as estimated through flow cytometry, further validated our findings. Our field fertility trial yielded 58.3% conception rate in the treatment group as compared to 27.6% in the control group. QUE at 20 µmol/mL concentration significantly improved the antioxidant capacity, intra-cellular calcium concentration, and kinematics of goat sperm and subsequently resulted in better fertility as compared to control.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88525-zApoptosisBuck semenQuercetinSperm qualityGene expressionFertility |
| spellingShingle | Alok Kumar J. K. Prasad Nishant Kumar Sonika Verma Mukul Anand Amrita Behera Ajeet Kumar Jitendra Tiwari Rahul Dhariya Sumit Singhal Vishal Yadav Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa Scientific Reports Apoptosis Buck semen Quercetin Sperm quality Gene expression Fertility |
| title | Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa |
| title_full | Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa |
| title_fullStr | Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa |
| title_short | Quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and CatSper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa |
| title_sort | quercetin modulates transcription of the apoptotic and catsper genes and optimises post thaw viability and kinematics of buck spermatozoa |
| topic | Apoptosis Buck semen Quercetin Sperm quality Gene expression Fertility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88525-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alokkumar quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT jkprasad quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT nishantkumar quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT sonikaverma quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT mukulanand quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT amritabehera quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT ajeetkumar quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT jitendratiwari quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT rahuldhariya quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT sumitsinghal quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa AT vishalyadav quercetinmodulatestranscriptionoftheapoptoticandcatspergenesandoptimisespostthawviabilityandkinematicsofbuckspermatozoa |