Research

Publications
Title: Geranylgeranylacetone induction of HSP90 alpha exerts cryoprotective effect on Acipenser sinensis sperm
First author: Xi, Meng Dan; Li, Ping; Du, Hao; Qiao, Xin Mei; Liu, Zhi Gang; Wei, Wei Qi
Journal: ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE
Years: 2018
Volume / issue: 193 /
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.03.027
Abstract: Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) is a fertility-associated protein, the expression of which positively correlates with sperm quality in many species. Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) is reported to induce expression of HSP90. The present study aimed to investigate whether GGA induced expression of HSP90 in Acipenser sinensis sperm to exert a cryoprotective effect. Sperm from five male A. sinensis was combined with extender containing 20 mmol/L tris pH = 8.1, 10% v/v methanol, 2-5 mmol/L KC1, 15 mmol/L lactose, and 15 mmol/L trehalose, with GGA at 0, 14, 67, 135, 673, 1346, or 6731 mu mol/L. After cryopreservation and thawing, the percentage of motile spermatozoa, spermatozoon curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), acrosome integrity, and membrane integrity, as well as fertility were evaluated. Sperm quality increased with the increase of GGA to 673 mu mol/L, but decreased at higher concentrations. Expression levels of HSP90 alpha were detected by Western blot in sperm frozen with GGA at 673 mu mol/L (highest obtained sperm quality), 6731 mu mol/L (highest GGA concentration), and a control without GGA. The expression of HSP90 alpha increased with the increase in GGA, with lowest expression observed in the control. GGA was found to induce increase of HSP90 alpha, and this increase was associated with higher quality cryopreserved sperm at concentrations 5.673 mu mol/L. This research suggests a viable technique to increase the quality of cryopreserved A. sinensis sperm by adding GGA to induce expression of HSP90 alpha.