Modification of sperm fatty acid composition during epididymal maturation in bats

Fasel, Nicolas J.; McMillian, Kevin; Jakop, Ulrike; Méné-Saffrané, Laurent; Engel, Kathrin M.; Genoud, Michel; Müller, Karin; Christe, Philippe (2019). Modification of sperm fatty acid composition during epididymal maturation in bats. Reproduction, 157, pp. 77-85. BioScientifica 10.1530/REP-18-0463

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Biochemical properties of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are fundamental to sperm movements. Amongst all adjustments operated during epididymal maturation, sperm membrane lipid composition is remodelled. Specifically, the proportion of PUFAs usually increases from the caput towards the cauda epididymidis. In mammals, PUFAs are predominantly acquired through the diet, which can consequently impact male fertility. We aimed at analysing to what extent n-6 and n-3 PUFAs are incorporated into sperm in the Seba’s short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata), and at demonstrating the effect of the sperm fatty acid composition on sperm mobility. We therefore provided food varying in fatty acid composition to males of C. perspicillata and measured the fatty acid composition and mobility traits in spermatozoa collected from the caput and cauda epididymides. We found that n-6 and n-3 PUFAs and saturated fatty acids were significantly related to sperm velocity but not to the proportion of progressive sperm (i.e. motility). Concomitant to an increase in sperm velocity, the level of fatty acid saturation increased from the caput to the cauda epididymidis, while the proportion of PUFAs remained similar along the epididymis. A reduction in n-6 PUFAs counterbalanced an increase in n-3 PUFAs. The food treatments did not affect the sperm fatty acid composition. Our results suggest that a precise endogenous control rather than dietary effects determines sperm fatty acid composition in C. perspicillata.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Department of Biology > Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE)
08 Faculty of Science > Department of Biology > Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE) > Conservation Biology

UniBE Contributor:

Genoud, Michel

Subjects:

500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
500 Science > 590 Animals (Zoology)

ISSN:

1741-7899

Publisher:

BioScientifica

Language:

English

Submitter:

Olivier Roth

Date Deposited:

01 Apr 2020 11:25

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:37

Publisher DOI:

10.1530/REP-18-0463

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.141430

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/141430

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