Synthesis of functional enzymes involved in glutathione production during linear motility in boar sperm.

Sperm cells are highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which decreases their motility and fertility. However, glutathione (GSH) plays a critical role in protecting sperm cells from oxidative damage, a common byproduct of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. On the other hand, GSH biosynthesis in sperm is limited by the availability of cysteine (Cys), which is inherently unstable and found at low concentrations in boar seminal plasma.