{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,24]],"date-time":"2026-02-24T04:22:30Z","timestamp":1771906950036,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"18","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,20]],"date-time":"2024-09-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1726790400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"LA\/P\/0059\/2020 (AL4AnimalS)"},{"name":"UIDB\/50006\/2020"},{"name":"UID\/CVT\/0027\/2020 (CIISA)"},{"name":"EXPL\/BIA-BQM\/1361\/2021"},{"name":"EC EUVG\/2022"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in the functional competence of sperm cells. Conversely, excessive generation of ROS can impair sperm function, including their fertilization ability. Urolithin A (UA), a gut bacteria-derived metabolite produced from the transformation of ellagitannins, with anti-aging and antioxidant properties, was investigated for the first time in bovine sperm cells in the present study. Firstly, different doses of UA (0, 1, and 10 \u03bcM; 8\u201316 sessions) were used during the capacitation process of frozen-thawed bovine sperm. Sperm motility was assessed using optical microscopy and CASA. Sperm vitality (eosin-nigrosin), ROS, and ATP levels, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (JC1) and oxygen consumption were evaluated. A second experiment to test the effect of different doses of UA (0, 1, and 10 \u03bcM; 9 sessions) in both the capacitation medium, as above, and the fertilization medium, was also implemented. The embryonic development and quality were evaluated. UA, at a concentration of 1 \u03bcM, significantly improved sperm movement quality (p &lt; 0.03). There was a trend towards an increase in the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of capacitated sperm with 1 \u03bcM and 10 \u03bcM UA supplementation. Moreover, an increase in ATP levels (p &lt; 0.01) was observed, accompanied by a reduction in ROS levels at the higher UA concentration. These results suggest that UA may enhance spermatozoa mitochondrial function, modifying their metabolic activity while reducing the oxidative stress. Also, the number of produced embryos appears to be positively affected by UA supplementation, although differences between the bulls may have mitigated this effect. In conclusion, presented results further support previous findings indicating the potential therapeutic value of UA for addressing reproductive sub\/infertility problems and improving ART outcomes. In addition, our results also reinforce the important bull effect on ART and that male sperm bioenergetic parameters should be used to predict spermatozoa functionality and developmental potential.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani14182726","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,20]],"date-time":"2024-09-20T07:38:57Z","timestamp":1726817937000},"page":"2726","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Effect of Urolithin A on Bovine Sperm Capacitation and In Vitro Fertilization"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-2689-9401","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Manuela","family":"Jorge","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Quinta da Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santar\u00e9m, Portugal"},{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences Research Centre, Vasco da Gama University School, Lordem\u00e3o University Campus, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-5385-4012","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Filipa C.","family":"Ferreira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Quinta da Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santar\u00e9m, Portugal"},{"name":"GeoBioTec\u2014Faculty of Sciences and Technology, New University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Carla C.","family":"Marques","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Quinta da Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santar\u00e9m, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Maria C.","family":"Batista","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Quinta da Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santar\u00e9m, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5201-9948","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paulo J.","family":"Oliveira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CNC\u2014Centre for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"CIBB\u2014Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"given":"F.","family":"Lidon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"GeoBioTec\u2014Faculty of Sciences and Technology, New University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2597-6651","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sofia C.","family":"Duarte","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences Research Centre, Vasco da Gama University School, Lordem\u00e3o University Campus, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Bromatology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Polo III, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0834-5698","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jos\u00e9","family":"Teixeira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CNC\u2014Centre for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"CIBB\u2014Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7514-6130","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rosa M. L. N.","family":"Pereira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Biotechnology and Genetic Resources, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Quinta da Fonte Boa, 2005-048 Vale de Santar\u00e9m, Portugal"},{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences Research Centre, Vasco da Gama University School, Lordem\u00e3o University Campus, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Av. da Universidade T\u00e9cnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal"},{"name":"Associated Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Av. da Universidade T\u00e9cnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"C\u00e1sedas, G., Les, F., Choya-Foces, C., Hugo, M., and L\u00f3pez, V. (2020). 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