Methylprednisolone improves the quality of liquid preserved boar spermatozoaand reduces polymorphonuclear neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis.

Abstract

After artificial insemination, immune cells such as polymorphonuclear neutrophils will be recruited into the genital tract and induce endometrial inflammation, adversely affecting the spermatozoa. This study aimed to analyze the effect of methylprednisolone (MPS) on boar spermatozoa quality ofliquid preservation and chemotaxis and phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils toward boar spermatozoa. Various concentrations of MPS were added to the extender and analyzed for their effects on spermatozoa motility, kinetic parameters, abnormality rate, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) levels, HOcontent, mitochondrial membrane potential and acrosome integrity. Testing of MPS on chemotaxis and phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils toward spermatozoa induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that an extender containing 2 × 10 mol/mL MPS was the most effective for preserving boar spermatozoa duringliquid preservation at 17°C. It effectively improved spermatozoa motility, kinetic parameters, T-AOC levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and acrosome integrity, reducing the abnormality rate and HOcontent. Meanwhile, the chemotaxis and phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils toward spermatozoa under LPS induction were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, MPS has positive implications for improvingliquid preserved boar spermatozoa quality, inhibiting chemotaxis and phagocytosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils toward spermatozoa.