Abstract: To explore the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP) in sperms in oxidative stess model with fluorescent JC1. Methods: FeSO4/H2O2 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.

Key words: Fluorescent dyes, Reactive oxygen species, Mitochondria, Sperm atozoa, Membrane potentials, Oxidative stress