Abstract:
Mitochondrial activity is an important viability parameter of spermatozoa and is linked
to sperm motility. Monensin is commonly used as an inhibitor for sperm mitochondrial
activity in the laboratory. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of some
homeopathic dilutions of monensin on sperm mitochondrial activity. Fresh ejaculates
from 6 mature bulls were used in the study. Samples of the semen were tested using a
flow cytometer for mitochondrial activity and sperm viability using Rhodamine 123
and SYBR-14, respectively. The 9 dilution of monensin resulted in very highly
significant (Po0.001) stimulation of mitochondrial activity. Monensin 5 , 7 , 8 and
13 caused highly significant (Po0.01) stimulation of the sperm mitochondrial activity.
Other homeopathic dilutions of monensin (6 , 10 , 11 , 12 and 14 ) also had a
significant (Po0.05) stimulatory effect. The use of monensin did not have any negative
effect on sperm viability. We conclude that some homeopathic dilutions of monensin
increase mitochondrial activity of bovine spermatozoa without negative effect on
sperm viability, the 9 dilution was the most effective. Further in vivo studies are
required to estimate the effect of homeopathic dilutions of monensin on semen
quality.