The Role of Erythropoietin in Bovine Sperm Physiology
Vasiliki G. Sapanidou,
Byron Asimakopoulos,
Theodoros Lialiaris,
Sophia N. Lavrentiadou,
Konstantinos Feidantsis,
Georgios Kourousekos,
Maria P. Tsantarliotou
Affiliations
Vasiliki G. Sapanidou
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Byron Asimakopoulos
Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Science, Campus-Dragana, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Theodoros Lialiaris
Laboratory of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Science, Campus-Dragana, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Sophia N. Lavrentiadou
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantinos Feidantsis
Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Mesolonghi, Greece
Georgios Kourousekos
Directorate of Veterinary Centre of Thessaloniki, Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, National Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 57008 Thessaloniki, Greece
Maria P. Tsantarliotou
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone secreted mainly by the kidney, exerts its biological function by binding to its cell-surface receptor (EpoR). The presence of EPO and EpoR in the male and female reproductive system has been verified. Therefore, some of the key properties of EPO, such as its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects, could improve the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa. In the present study, the effect of two different concentrations of EPO (10 mIU/μL and 100 mIU/μL) on bovine sperm-quality parameters was evaluated during a post-thawing 4-h incubation at 37 °C. EPO had a positive effect on sperm motility, viability, and total antioxidant capacity. Moreover, EPO inhibited apoptosis, as it reduced both BCL2-associated X apoptosis regulator (Bax)/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) ratio and cleaved cysteine-aspartic proteases (caspases) substrate levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, EPO induced sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction in spermatozoa incubated in capacitation conditioned medeia. These results establish a foundation for the physiological role of EPO in reproductive processes and hopefully will provide an incentive for further research in order to fully decipher the role of EPO in sperm physiology and reproduction.
