Detection of mitochondrial membrane potential changes in spermatzoa by fluorescent dyes JC-1

Objective: To explore the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) in sperms in oxidative stess model with fluorescent JC-1.Methods: FeSO_4/H_2O_2 system was used to induce sperm model of oxidative injury,and JC-1 in combination with flow cyometry was used to detect the changes of sperm MMP in the exposure of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Results: Normal sperms had a high MMP,and JC-1 aggregates were formed in the inner membranes of mitochondria and emitted orange-red fluorescence.ROS caused the decrease of MMP,and JC-1 aggregates were dissociated to monomer which emitted green fluorenscence.Conclusions: Oxidative stress can cause the decrease of MMP;JC-1 in combination with flow cytometry is an ideal method to detect the change of mitochondrial membrane potential.