The incorporation of cystine by the soluble carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is a component of the redox regulatory mechanism in stallion spermatozoa.

The incorporation of cystine by the soluble carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is a component of the redox regulatory mechanism in stallion spermatozoa. Biol Reprod. 2019 Apr 18;: Authors: Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Martín-Cano FE, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Masot J, Redondo E, Gázquez A, Gil MC, Aparicio IM, Rojo-Domínguez P, Tapia JA, Rodriguez-Martínez H, Peña FJ Abstract Oxidative stress is considered a major mechanism causing sperm damage during cryopreservation and storage, and underlies male factor infertility. Currently, oxidative stress is no longer believed to be caused only by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, but rather by the deregulation of redox signaling and control mechanisms. With this concept in mind, here, we describe for the first time the presence of the soluble carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) antiporter, which exchanges extracellular cystine (Cyss) for intracellular glutamate, in stallion spermatozoa, as well as its impact on sperm function using the specific inhibitor sulfasalazine. Spermatozoa incubated with cystine exhibited an increased intracellular GSH content compared with controls (P < 0.01): 50% in fresh extended stallion spermatozoa and 30% in frozen-thawed spermatozoa. This effect was prevented by the addition of sulfasalazine to the media. Cyss supplementation also reduced the oxidation-reduction potential of spermatozoa, with sulfasalazine only preventing this effect on fresh sperma...
Source: Biology of Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Tags: Biol Reprod Source Type: research