Background: Artificial insemination (AI) relies on liquid storage of boar semen for handling and timing to improve reproductive efficiency. However, storage promotes reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in sperm, which damages the membranes, mitochondria, and DNA, leading to a loss of motility and integrity. The addition of antioxidants is a practical method for preventing ROS generation and functional loss. Accordingly, the effects of 1 nM Mitoquinone (MitoQ) on the viability, motility, and sperm protein function of boar sperm were evaluated. Methods: Semen extended with sperm was stored at 4℃ for up to 7 days in the presence of 1 nM MitoQ. Viability was assessed using SYBR-14/PI, and motility and kinematics (ALH, BCF, LIN, STR, VAP, VCL, VSL, and WOB) were measured using the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Western blotting was used to quantify phospho-AMPK (Thr172), total AMPK, and β-actin with α-tubulin as a loading reference. Results: Viability was higher in MitoQ from days 3 to 7 (p < 0.001). Total motility was also higher on day 1 (p < 0.01) and was better preserved on days 3,5 (p < 0.05) and 7 (p < 0.001). Kinematics showed reduced ALH and increased BCF with MitoQ, with higher LIN (day 3, p < 0.05) and STR (days 5 and 7, p < 0.05). VAP and VCL were transiently higher on day 1 and then lower than those of the control thereafter, whereas VSL and WOB were unchanged. The phospho-AMPK/total-AMPK ratio was higher with MitoQ on all measurement days (p < 0.001). β-actin did not differ on day 1, showed a numerical increase on day 3, and was higher on day 5 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Viability and motility were preserved with 1 nM MitoQ, and sperm swimming was straighter and more efficient. The higher phospho-AMPK/total-AMPK ratio, together with preserved β-actin, points to AMPK-based energy control and a stable cytoskeleton. This supports follow-up studies on the dose, extender conditions, and fertility outcomes of boar artificial insemination.

Background: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is introduced species that has caused aquatic ecology activity both in vitro and in vivo were investigated for the possibility of application of the bass extract as an alternative feed ingredient. Methods: The bass oil was extracted using a 1-L supercritical extractor, while the protein was extracted from 250 g of bass dry matter, which was dissolved in 1 mL of H2O at 50℃. Both oil and protein extracts were evaluated antioxidant activities and the level of DPPH radical scavenging assay and nitric oxide (NO) production assay with lipopolysaccharide response. Oral administration of 6.6 μL/g bass protein and 5.38 μL/g bass oil conducted for investigating serological and physiological effect. Results: DPPH radical scavenging showed similar radical scavenging ability of 50 μM of ascorbic acid at 200 μg of protein and 10% of oil treatment. NO concentration was diminished by the treatment of bass oil. Oral administration of both bass oil and proteins to mice showed that the body weight increase rate of the bass oil treated group was significantly reduced by 1.55 g compared to the other groups. The number of white blood cells (WBC) was increased by 4.52 k/μL in the bass protein-treated group and 4.44 k/μL in the bass oil-treated group compared to the control group. However, the serum IgG level did not show a significant difference between the bass extract-treated groups and the control group. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that both bass oil and proteins extracted from the bass not only provide excellent effects of antioxidant and immune activity but can also be used as functional food supplements.