Effect of Tunicamycin on Viability, Motility, Reactive Oxygen Species, Nitric Oxide, and Lipid Peroxidation in Boar Sperm

Tunicamycin induces endoplasmic reticulum stress in mammalian cells. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of tunicamycin on the motility and viability of sperm, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation in boar sperm. We treated 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, and 10 mu M of tunicamycin in boar semen, and experimental treatments were performed. The viability (55.44%, 53.20, and 40.00%, p < 0.05) and motility (73.28%, 71.48%, and 54.48%, p < 0.05) of sperm at 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mu M were decreased by tunicamycin, and the levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in tunicamycin-treated boar semen were increased (p < 0.05). However, the nitric oxide level was not changed by tunicamycin. Based on the results, we indicated that tunicamycin induces cell death by increasing oxidative stress in boar sperm, which may be the cause of decreased sperm viability and motility. Thus, we suggest that tunicamycin may induce cell death due to oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation.