Abstract

Testicular degeneration of Huntington's disease involves the reduction of germ cells and wall thickening of seminiferous tubule. Since changes in ejaculates of patients and mammalians models has not yet been tested, the aim of our study was to analyse motility, amount, fertilising capacity and mitochondrial function of spermatozoa from two HD minipig boars from F1 generation and two WT control animals from 12 to 24 month of age. Random analysis of HD boars from F2 generation at the age of 8 to 12 month was also performed. After semen collections of transgenic and control boars, spermatozoa were prepared for in vitro penetration test. The HD F1 boars showed significantly decreasing tendency in motility, total sperm number and fertilising capacity staring at about 13 month of age in comparison with control boars. The slight depression in sperm quality and quantity was observed in two of four tested HD F2 boars. Evaluating the sperm quantity, motility and fertilising capacity, we can conclude the age related depression in all observed parameters in HD F1 transgenic boars. Mitochondrial energy generating system capacity was analysed in homogenates of minipig boar spermatozoa by measuring oxidation rates and oxygen consumption was determined by high resolution polarography. Decreased oxidation rates were found in spermatozoa of the transgenic F1 minipig boars at the age of 18, 21 and 24 months in comparison with controls. Oxidation rate of succinate and decreased oxygen consumption after addition of succinate indicate impaired function of complex II. Our results demonstrate disturbed bioenergetic function of mitochondria in spermatozoa of transgenic boars.