resumo
Efficient spermatogenesis relies on the balance between energy production and expenditure, and thus depends on mitochondrial function. Our goal was to characterize testis mitochondria isolated from the domestic cat for their future use as a model for endangered felids. Respiration parameters were monitored with a Clark-type oxygen electrode, and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Delta psi) was estimated with a TPP+ electrode. Testis mitochondria are shown to require low oxygen consumption to generate approximately the same maximum Delta psi as other tissues. We also found differences between young and adult cats suggesting a less efficient phosphorylation system in the first group. Furthermore, an interpolation equation of the relation between maximum Delta psi and age allowed the prediction of the expected Delta psi at each age, as well as possible deviations. The results generate a novel model from a carnivore to further test drugs or environmental contaminants (such as pesticides and herbicides), many of which act on mitochondria and may interfere with the reproduction of wild animals. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
palavras-chave
OXIDATIVE-PHOSPHORYLATION; FELIS-CATUS; SEMINIFEROUS EPITHELIUM; RESPIRATORY-CHAIN; SPERM; SPERMATOGENESIS; TESTIS; MOUSE; RAT; DNA
categoria
Reproductive Biology; Toxicology
autores
Mota, P; Amaral, S; Martins, L; Pereira, MD; Oliveira, PJ; Ramalho-Santos, J
nossos autores
Maria de Lourdes Gomes Pereira
Professor Associado com Agregaçãoagradecimentos
Grant support: Paula C.C.R. Mota and Sandra C.G. Amaral were supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology with PhD scholarships (SFRH/BD/23643/2005 and SFRH/18734/2004, respectively).