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Hassan MAE, Khalil WA, Ismail AA, Momenah MA, Al-Marakby KM, Abdelnour SA. Effect of interleukin 6 (IL-6) on sperm quality, kinematic parameters, acrosome integrity, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and molecular docking in cryopreserved ram spermatozoa. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100912. [PMID: 38852377 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2024.100912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Sperm cryopreservation can lead to subfertility due to potential damage to sperm DNA, membranes, and overall motility caused by the freeze-thaw process. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a versatile cytokine with various roles in reproductive processes. However, the impacts of IL-6 supplementation on cryopreserved ram sperm have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aims to assess the influence of IL-6 on the sperm quality of cryopreserved ram sperm. Ram semen was collected, pooled, and extended with tris-citrate soybean lecithin extender supplemented with 0, 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL of IL-6. The samples experienced a standard freezing protocol, and sperm quality, kinematic parameters, ultrastructure, and molecular docking of cryopreserved ram spermatozoa were evaluated. The results showed that sperm kinematics, viability, progressive motility, and membrane integrity were significantly enhanced by the addition of 100 or 200 ng of IL-6/mL (p < 0.05). Semen supplemented with 100 or 200 ng/mL of IL-6 also exhibited higher percentages of sperm kinematics, including DAP, DCL, DSL, VSL, VAP, VCL, and ALH, compared to other groups (p < 0.05). IL-6 supplementation enhanced acrosome integrity, and reduced caspase-3 activity in post-thawed ram spermatozoa (p < 0.05) compared to untreated group. Supplementation with IL-6 (200 ng/mL) significantly decreased oxidative biomarkers (NO, MDA, and H2O2) (p < 0.001) and improved total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). The percentage of sperm damage (tail, head, and midpiece) was significantly reduced by IL-6 supplementation (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that supplementation with 100 or 200 ng/mL IL-6 protected acrosome stability, plasma membrane integrity, and sustained the ultrastructure integrity of cryopreserved ram spermatozoa. The docking exploration indicates a higher binding affinity with sperm function biomarkers, including caspase 3, BCL2, and PSMA6, with binding energies of - 52.30 kcal/mol, - 56.04 kcal/mol, and - 57.06 kcal/mol, respectively. In conclusion, the addition of IL-6 to the freezing extender can enhance the post-thaw quality of cryopreserved ram spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A E Hassan
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza 12619, Egypt
| | - Wael A Khalil
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Aya A Ismail
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Maha Abdullah Momenah
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled M Al-Marakby
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
| | - Sameh A Abdelnour
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.
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Hernández-Avilés C, Ramírez-Agámez L, Weintraub ST, Scoggin CF, Davis BW, Raudsepp T, Varner DD, Love CC. Proteomic analysis of sperm from fertile stallions and subfertile stallions due to impaired acrosomal exocytosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12446. [PMID: 38816557 PMCID: PMC11139894 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoroughbred stallions that carry a double-homozygous genotype A/A-A/A for SNPs rs397316122 and rs69101140 in exon 5 of the FKBP6 gene (chr13; EquCab3.0) are uniquely subfertile due to impaired acrosomal exocytosis (IAE). In this study, the sperm proteome in frozen/thawed semen from subfertile Thoroughbred stallions was studied and compared to that of frozen/thawed sperm from fertile Thoroughbred stallions. A total of 2,220 proteins was identified, of which 140 proteins were found to be differentially abundant in sperm from the subfertile stallions compared to that of fertile stallions (83 less and 57 more abundant). Proteins of differential abundance in sperm from the subfertile stallions were mainly overrepresented in the "metabolism" and the "metabolism of lipids" pathways. One of these proteins, arylsulfatase F (ARSF), was studied by immunofluorescence. A lower proportion of sperm displaying ARSF signal at the acrosome region was observed in sperm from subfertile Thoroughbred stallions. In addition, heterologous zona pellucida binding assays revealed that sperm from subfertile Thoroughbred stallions bound at a lower proportion to zonae pellucidae than sperm from fertile Thoroughbred stallions. In conclusion, a group of differential abundance proteins, including some of acrosome origin, were identified in sperm from subfertile stallions with acrosome dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Hernández-Avilés
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Luisa Ramírez-Agámez
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Susan T Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Charles F Scoggin
- LeBlanc Reproduction Center, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Brian W Davis
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Terje Raudsepp
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Dickson D Varner
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Charles C Love
- Equine Fertility Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 500 Raymond Stotzer Parkway, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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Ngcobo JN, Nedambale TL, Sithole SM, Mtileni B, Mpofu TJ, Ramukhithi FV, Chokoe TC, Nephawe KA. A systematic review on the prospects of X- and Y-sexed semen in ruminant livestock: implications for conservation, a South African perspective. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1384768. [PMID: 38655533 PMCID: PMC11037082 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1384768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
South Africa is home to numerous indigenous and locally developed sheep (Nguni Pedi, Zulu, and Namaqua Afrikaner, Afrino, Africander, Bezuidenhout Africander, Damara, Dorper, Döhne Merino, Meat Master, South African Merino, South African Mutton Merino, Van Rooy, and Dorper), goat (SA veld, Tankwa, Imbuzi, Bantu, Boer, and Savanna) and cattle (Afrigus, Afrikaner, Bolowana, Bonsmara, Bovelder, Drakensberger, South African Angus, South African Dairy Swiss, South African Friesland, South African Red, and Veld Master) animals. These breeds require less veterinary service, feed, management efforts, provide income to rural and or poor owners. However, most of them are under extinction risks and some with unknown status hence, require immediate conservation intervention. To allow faster genetic progress on the endangered animals, it is important to generate productive animals while reducing wastages and this can be achieved through sex-sorted semen. Therefore, this systematic review is aimed to evaluate the prospects of X and Y-sexed semen in ruminant livestock and some solutions that can be used to address poor sex-sorted semen and its fertility. This review was incorporated through gathering and assessing relevant articles and through the data from the DAD-IS database. The keywords that were used to search articles online were pre-gender selection, indigenous ecotypes, fertility, flow cytometry, artificial insemination, conservation, and improving sexed semen. Following a careful review of all articles, PRISMA guidelines were used to find the articles that are suitable to address the aim of this review. Sex-sorted semen is a recently introduced technology gaining more attention from researchers particularly, in the conservation programs. Preselection of semen based on the sex chromosomes (X- and or Y-bearing chromosomes) is of paramount importance to obtain desired sex of the offspring and avoid animal wastage as much as possible. However, diverse factors can affect quality of semen of different animal species especially after sex-sorting. Flow cytometry is a common method used to select male and female sperm cells and discard dead and abnormal sperm cells during the process. Thus, sperm sexing is a good advanced reproductive technology (ART) however, it is associated with the production of oxidative stress (OS) and DNA fragmentation (SDF). These findings, therefore, necessitates more innovation studies to come up with a sexing technology that will protect sperm cell injuries during sorting in frozen-thawed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sindisiwe Mbali Sithole
- Germplasm, Conservation, Reproductive Biotechnologies, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Bohani Mtileni
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Takalani Judas Mpofu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Tlou Caswel Chokoe
- Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, Directorate Farm Animal Genetic Resource, Pretoria, South Africa
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Larbi A, Li C, Quan G. An updated review on the application of proteomics to explore sperm cryoinjury mechanisms in livestock animals. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 263:107441. [PMID: 38412764 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review critically examines the application of proteomics in understanding sperm cryoinjury mechanisms in livestock animals, in the context of the widespread use of semen cryopreservation for genetic conservation. Despite its global adoption, cryopreservation often detrimentally affects sperm quality and fertility due to cryoinjuries. These injuries primarily arise from ice crystal formation, osmotic shifts, oxidative stress, and the reorganization of membrane proteins and lipids during freezing and thawing, leading to premature capacitation-like changes. Moreover, the cryopreservation process induces proteome remodeling in mammalian sperm. Although there have been technological advances in semen cryopreservation, the precise mechanisms of mammalian sperm cryoinjury remain elusive. This review offers an in-depth exploration of how recent advancements in proteomic technologies have enabled a detailed investigation into these molecular disruptions. It presents an analysis of protein-level alterations post-thaw and their impact on sperm viability and functionality. Additionally, it discusses the role of proteomics in refining cryopreservation techniques to mitigate cryoinjury and enhance reproductive outcomes in livestock. This work synthesizes current knowledge, highlights gaps, and suggests directions for future research in animal reproductive science and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allai Larbi
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China; Laboratory of Sustainable Agriculture Management, Higher School of Technology Sidi Bennour, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
| | - Chunyan Li
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Guobo Quan
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Jindian, Panlong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China.
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Sinha MK, Kumaresan A, Rao Talluri T, Ebenezer Samuel King JP, Prakash MA, Nag P, Paul N, Raval K, Kamaraj E, V A. Single nucleotide polymorphisms cumulating to genetic variation for fertility in crossbred ( Bos taurus × Bos indicus) bull spermatozoa. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:2875-2886. [PMID: 36137067 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2124166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa from high-fertile (HF) and low-fertile (LF) breeding bulls were subjected to high-throughput next-generation sequencing to identify important Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and novel variants associated with fertility. A total of 77,038 genome-wide SNPs were identified, among which, 10,788 were novel variants. A total of 42,290 and 34,748 variants were recorded with 6115 and 4673 novel variants in in HF and LF bulls, respectively. Higher number of SNPs were identified in HF compared to LF bulls. GO analysis of filtered genes with significant variations in HF bulls indicated their involvement in oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic pathways. GO analysis of filtered genes with significant variation in LF bulls revealed their involvement in Ca2++ ion binding, structural constituent of ribosome, and biological processes like translation and ribosomal small subunit assembly. The study identified SNPs in candidate genes including TPT1, BOLA-DRA, CD74, RPS17, RPS28, RPS29, RPL14, RPL13, and RPS27A, which are linked to sperm functionality, survival, oxidative stress, and bull fertility. The identified SNPs could be used in selection of bulls for high fertility and the variation in these genes could be established as an explanation for the fertility differences in bulls upon validation in large number of bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Thirumala Rao Talluri
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Mani Arul Prakash
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pradeep Nag
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Nilendu Paul
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Kathan Raval
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Elango Kamaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Aranganathan V
- Jain University (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, India
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6
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Gacem S, Castello-Ruiz M, Hidalgo CO, Tamargo C, Santolaria P, Soler C, Yániz JL, Silvestre MA. Bull Sperm SWATH-MS-Based Proteomics Reveals Link between High Fertility and Energy Production, Motility Structures, and Sperm-Oocyte Interaction. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:3607-3624. [PMID: 37782577 PMCID: PMC10629479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The prediction of male or semen fertility potential remains a persistent challenge that has yet to be fully resolved. This work analyzed several in vitro parameters and proteome of spermatozoa in bulls cataloged as high- (HF; n = 5) and low-field (LF; n = 5) fertility after more than a thousand artificial inseminations. Sperm motility was evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Sperm viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (mROS) of spermatozoa were assessed by flow cytometry. Proteome was evaluated by the SWATH-MS procedure. Spermatozoa of HF bulls showed significantly higher total motility than the LF group (41.4% vs 29.7%). Rates of healthy sperm (live, high MMP, and low mROS) for HF and LF bull groups were 49% and 43%, respectively (p > 0.05). Spermatozoa of HF bulls showed a higher presence of differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) related to both energy production (COX7C), mainly the OXPHOS pathway, and the development of structures linked with the motility process (TPPP2, SSMEM1, and SPAG16). Furthermore, we observed that equatorin (EQTN), together with other DAPs related to the interaction with the oocyte, was overrepresented in HF bull spermatozoa. The biological processes related to protein processing, catabolism, and protein folding were found to be overrepresented in LF bull sperm in which the HSP90AA1 chaperone was identified as the most DAP. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD042286.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Gacem
- Departamento
de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología
Física, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
- Departamento
de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Universitat
Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Castello-Ruiz
- Departamento
de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología
Física, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
- Unidad
Mixta de Investigación Cerebrovascular, Instituto de Investigación
Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario
y Politécnico La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos O. Hidalgo
- Animal
Selection and Reproduction Area, Regional
Agrifood Research and Development Service (SERIDA), 33394 Deva, Gijón, Spain
| | - Carolina Tamargo
- Animal
Selection and Reproduction Area, Regional
Agrifood Research and Development Service (SERIDA), 33394 Deva, Gijón, Spain
| | - Pilar Santolaria
- BIOFITER
Research Group, Institute of Environmental Sciences (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, 22071 Huesca, Spain
| | - Carles Soler
- Departamento
de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología
Física, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús L. Yániz
- BIOFITER
Research Group, Institute of Environmental Sciences (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, 22071 Huesca, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Silvestre
- Departamento
de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología
Física, Universitat de València, 46100 Valencia, Spain
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Cao T, Shi C, Ren Z, Zhao Y. Quantitative proteomics analysis reveals the key proteins related to semen quality in Niangya yaks. Proteome Sci 2023; 21:20. [PMID: 37875878 PMCID: PMC10594827 DOI: 10.1186/s12953-023-00222-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteins related to sperm motility and sperm morphology have an important impact on sperm function such as metabolism, motility and fertilisation etc. An understanding of the key proteins related to semen quality in Niangya yaks would help to provide support for breeding. However, the key proteins that affect semen quality in Niangya yaks remain unclear. METHODS Herein, we applied tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) to analyze the expression levels of sperm proteins in groups of high- and low-quality semen from Niangya yaks. And fifteen differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were randomly selected for expression level validation by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). RESULTS Of the 2,092 quantified proteins, 280 were identified as DEPs in the high-quality group versus the low-quality group. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that in terms of biological pathways, the DEPs were mainly involved in metabolic processes, cell transformation processes, and single organism metabolic processes. In terms of cell composition, the DEPs were mainly located in the cell membrane, organelle, molecular complex. In terms of molecular functions, the most abundant functions of the DEPs were catalytic activity, binding activity, transport activity, and enzyme regulation activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the DEPs were mainly involved in the cytokine and cytokine receptor interaction, notch signaling pathway, lysine biosynthesis, renal function-related protein and proteasome pathway. From protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of DEPs involved in important pathways, 6 related proteins affecting the semen quality of Niangya yaks were identified. And the results of the PRM and TMT analysis were consistent. CONCLUSIONS The differential sperm proteomic analysis of high- and low-quality semen from Niangya yaks, revealed 6 proteins (PSMC5, PSMD8, PSMB3, HSP90AA1, UGP2 and HSPB1), were mainly concentrated in energy production and metabolism, might play important roles in semen quality, which could serve as candidates for the selection and breeding of Niangya yaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaomei Wang
- Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Yuchao Liu
- Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Cao
- Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Chunyuan Shi
- Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Zili Ren
- Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China
| | - Yanling Zhao
- Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Linzhi, Tibet, 860000, P.R. China.
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Ramírez-López CJ, Barros E, Vidigal PMP, Silva Okano D, Duarte Rodrigues JN, Lopes Gomes L, Montes-Vergara JC, Petro Hernandez VG, Baracat-Pereira MC, Guimarães SEF, Guimarães JD. Relative Abundance of Spermadhesin-1 in the Seminal Plasma of Young Nellore Bulls Is in Agreement with Reproductive Parameters. Vet Sci 2023; 10:610. [PMID: 37888562 PMCID: PMC10611397 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10100610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the proteomic profile of seminal plasma from young Nellore bulls. We used 20 bulls aged between 19.8 and 22.7 months, divided into two groups according to the results of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE): approved (FIT n = 10) and not approved (UNFIT n = 10). The scrotal perimeter was measured and a semen collection was performed through electroejaculation. The percentage of sperm motility, mass motility, and sperm vigor were calculated using conventional microscopy, and the percentage of sperm abnormalities was calculated using phase-contrast microscopy of all ejaculates. Seminal plasma was separated from spermatozoa using centrifugation and processed for proteomic analysis by LC-MS/MS. Seminal plasma proteins were identified using MASCOT Daemon software v.2.4.0 and label-free quantification analysis was carried out by SCAFFOLD Q+ software v.4.0 using the Exponentially Modified Protein Abundance Index (emPAI) method. Functional classification of proteins was performed based on their genetic ontology terms using KOG. Functional cluster analysis was performed on DAVID. There were no differences in scrotal perimeter and physical semen characteristics between FIT and UNFIT groups of bulls. The percentage of sperm abnormalities was higher (p < 0.05) in the UNFIT group of bulls. A total of 297 proteins were identified for the two groups. There were a total of 11 differentially abundant proteins (p < 0.05), two of them more abundant in FIT bulls (Spermadhesin-1 and Ig gamma-1 chain C region) and nine in UNFIT bulls (Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Metalloproteinase inhibitor 2, Ig lambda-1 chain C regions, Protein FAM3C, Hemoglobin beta, Seminal ribonuclease, Spermadhesin 2, Seminal plasma protein BSP-30kDa, and Spermadhesin Z13). Spermadhesin-1 was the protein with the highest relative abundance (36.7%) in the seminal plasma among all bulls, corresponding to 47.7% for the FIT bulls and 25,7% for the UNFIT bulls. Posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones were the functional categories with the highest number of classified proteins. Protein functional annotation clusters were related to Phospholipid efflux, ATP binding, and chaperonin-containing T-complex. The differentially abundant proteins in the group of FIT bulls were related to sperm capacitation and protection against reactive species of oxygen. In contrast, differentially expressed proteins in the group of UNFIT bulls were related to motility inhibition, intramembrane cholesterol removal and oxidative stress. In conclusion, the proteomic profile of the seminal plasma of FIT bulls presents proteins with participation in several biological processes favorable to fertilization, while the proteins of the seminal plasma of UNFIT bulls indicate a series of alterations that can compromise the fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa. In addition, the relative abundance of spermadhesin-1 found in the seminal plasma of young Nellore bulls could be studied as a reproductive parameter for selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo José Ramírez-López
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (D.S.O.); (J.N.D.R.); (L.L.G.); (J.D.G.)
- Department of Animal Science, Universidad de Córdoba, Monteria 230002, Colombia;
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil;
| | - Edvaldo Barros
- Nucleus for Analysis of Biomolecules, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (E.B.); (P.M.P.V.)
| | - Pedro Marcus Pereira Vidigal
- Nucleus for Analysis of Biomolecules, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (E.B.); (P.M.P.V.)
| | - Denise Silva Okano
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (D.S.O.); (J.N.D.R.); (L.L.G.); (J.D.G.)
| | - Juliana Nascimento Duarte Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (D.S.O.); (J.N.D.R.); (L.L.G.); (J.D.G.)
| | - Lidiany Lopes Gomes
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (D.S.O.); (J.N.D.R.); (L.L.G.); (J.D.G.)
| | | | | | - Maria Cristina Baracat-Pereira
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil;
| | - Simone Eliza Facioni Guimarães
- Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil;
| | - José Domingos Guimarães
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil; (D.S.O.); (J.N.D.R.); (L.L.G.); (J.D.G.)
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9
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Miyazaki MA, Guilharducci RL, Intasqui P, Bertolla RP. Mapping the human sperm proteome - novel insights into reproductive research. Expert Rev Proteomics 2023; 20:19-45. [PMID: 37140161 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2023.2210764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spermatozoa are highly specialized cells with unique morphology. In addition, spermatozoa lose a considerable amount of cytoplasm during spermiogenesis, when they also compact their DNA, resulting in a transcriptionally quiescent cell. Throughout the male reproductive tract, sperm will acquire proteins that enable them to interact with the female reproductive tract. After ejaculation, proteins undergo post-translational modifications for sperm to capacitate, hyperactivate and fertilize the oocyte. Many proteins have been identified as predictors of male infertility, and also investigated in diseases that compromise reproductive potential. AREAS COVERED In this review we proposed to summarize the recent findings about the sperm proteome and how they affect sperm structure, function, and fertility. A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar databases within the past 5 years until August 2022. EXPERT OPINION Sperm function depends on protein abundance, conformation, and PTMs; understanding the sperm proteome may help to identify pathways essential to fertility, even making it possible to unravel the mechanisms involved in idiopathic infertility. In addition, proteomics evaluation offers knowledge regarding alterations that compromise the male reproductive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Alexia Miyazaki
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raquel Lozano Guilharducci
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Intasqui
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Human Reproduction Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhang Y, Yuan W, Liu Y, Liu Y, Liang H, Xu Q, Liu Z, Weng X. Plasma membrane lipid composition and metabolomics analysis of Yorkshire boar sperms with high and low resistance to cryopreservation. Theriogenology 2023; 206:28-39. [PMID: 37178672 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The resistance of sperm to freezing varies widely among boars. The semen ejaculate of different boars can be grouped into poor freezability ejaculate (PFE) and good freezability ejaculate (GFE). In this study, five Yorkshire boars each of the GFE and PFE were selected by comparing the changes in sperm motility before and after cryopreservation. Firstly, we found that the sperm plasma membrane of the PFE group showed weak integrity after PI and 6-CFDA staining. Then the electron microscopy results verified that the plasma membrane condition of all segments of GFE was better than that of PFE segments. Furthermore, the lipid composition of sperm plasma membranes in GPE and PFE sperm was analyzed by using mass spectrometry, and 15 lipids showed differences between the two groups. Among those lipids, only phosphatidylcholine (PC) (14:0/20:4) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (14:0/20:4) were higher in PFE. The remaining lipid contents, including those of dihydroceramide (18:0/18:0), four hexosylceramides (18:1/20:1, 18:0/22:1, 18:1/16:0, 18:1/18:0), lactosylceramide (18:1/16:0), two hemolyzed phosphatidylethanolamines (18:2, 20:2), five phosphatidylcholines (16:1/18:2, 18:2/16:1, 14:0/20:4, 16:0/18:3, 18:1/20:2), and two phosphatidylethanolamines (14:0/20:4, 18:1/18:3), were all positively correlated with resistance to cryopreservation (p < 0.05, r > 0.6). Moreover, we analyzed the metabolic profile of sperm using untarget metabolomic. KEGG annotation analysis revealed that the altered metabolites were mainly involved in fatty acid biosynthesis. Finally, we determined that the contents of oleic acid, oleamideetc, N8-acetylspermidine etc., were different between GFE and PFE sperm. In summary, the different lipid metabolism levels and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in plasma membrane may be key factors contributing to differences in sperm resistance to cryopreservation among boars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Wenjing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Hanlin Liang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Qianqian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Breeding and Feeding of Pig in Northern Cold Region, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China.
| | - Xiaogang Weng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Breeding and Feeding of Pig in Northern Cold Region, Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China.
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Yu J, Liu H, Li X, Ge S, Zhao X, Ji C, Wang Y, Wang Z, Dang R, Zhao F. TMT-based comparative proteomic analysis of Dezhou donkey spermatozoa related to freezability. J Proteomics 2023; 273:104793. [PMID: 36535622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The freezability difference between donkey ejaculates is a limiting factor of sperm cryopreservation. Our recent study shows that the freezability of donkey semen is related to the seminal plasma proteome. In this study, we aimed to identify the different abundance sperm proteins in good freezability ejaculates (GFEs) and poor freezability ejaculates (PFEs) using a Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) peptide labeling coupled with LC-MS/MS approach. A total of 2682 proteins were identified, among which 58 were significantly up-regulated in GFEs and 16 were down-regulated compared with PFEs. Bioinformatic analysis results revealed that the majority of different abundance proteins (DAPs) participated in copper and calcium binding, regulation of RNA biosynthetic process, positive regulation of innate immune response, and negative regulation of programmed cell death. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed the up-regulated proteins in GF group were mainly involved in N-Glycan biosynthesis and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Our study was the first to analyze the proteome of sperm from donkey ejaculates with different freezabilities. The identified candidate proteins might be used to explore the molecular mechanism related to donkey sperm cryotolerance and might improve the screening of jacks with good sperm freezability. SIGNIFICANCE: Cryopreserved semen has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology. However, semen cryopreservation is a damaging process, which can cause oxidative stress, reduce sperm motility and motility. There are differences in sperm freezability reported to exist between or within breeds, and even between fractions coming from the same ejaculate. The freezability difference between donkey ejaculates is a limiting factor of sperm cryopreservation. The mechanisms that affect the freezing difference in sperm quality remain to be investigated, and freezability differences was found to be related to protein composition of spermatozoa. Some protein markers that can indicate good freezability or poor freezability semen have been identified in mammals. Until now, there is no information about the relationship between donkey spermatozoa proteome and freezability. Additional novel biomarkers of semen freezability in donkey spermatozoa are also needed. The identified candidate proteins might be used to explore the molecular mechanism related to donkey sperm cryotolerance and might improve the screening of jacks with good sperm freezability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China; National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Haibing Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an City 271018, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xuexian Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shihao Ge
- College of Pharmacy, Heze University, 2269 Daxue Road, Heze 274015, China
| | - Xianlin Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Heze University, 2269 Daxue Road, Heze 274015, China
| | - Chuanliang Ji
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yantao Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd, 78 E-Jiao Street Donge County, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhaofei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ruihua Dang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Fuwei Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Heze University, 2269 Daxue Road, Heze 274015, China.
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Warr S, Pini T, de Graaf SP, Rickard JP. Molecular insights to the sperm-cervix interaction and the consequences for cryopreserved sperm. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:183-196. [PMID: 36191077 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryopreserved ram spermatozoa are limited in their capacity to traverse the ovine cervix and achieve fertilization. This altered interaction may be related to modified molecular communication between frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa, seminal plasma, and the female tract. As such, this review aims to identify the biological processes which underpin sperm maturation and transport throughout the female reproductive tract to elucidate factors which may alter this natural process in cryopreserved ram spermatozoa. We also assess critical barriers to ram spermatozoa specific to the ovine cervix and the role of seminal plasma in mitigating these barriers. Transcriptomics is explored as a new approach to understand the sperm-cervix interaction. Recent studies have demonstrated that both spermatozoa and seminal plasma contain a complex profile of coding and non-coding RNAs. These molecular species have clear links with functional fertility, and mounting evidence suggests they may be altered by cryopreservation. Emerging in vitro cell culture models are also investigated as a "next step" in studying this interaction, utilizing transcriptomics to identify subtle changes in female tract gene expression in response to spermatozoa. The application of such models is proposed as an exciting opportunity to investigate the unique challenges faced by cryopreserved spermatozoa traversing the ovine cervix prior to fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Warr
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Taylor Pini
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon P de Graaf
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica P Rickard
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Belardin LB, Antoniassi MP, Camargo M, Intasqui P, Bertolla RP. Separating the chaff from the wheat: antibody-based removal of DNA-fragmented sperm. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:204-215. [PMID: 36539256 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to remove sperm with damaged DNA from a semen sample? SUMMARY ANSWER By using immunomagnetic cell sorting that targets the sperm head-bound epididymal sperm-binding protein 1 (ELSPBP1), it was possible to produce an ELSPBP1(-) sperm fraction characterized by consistently lower levels of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In bovines, ELSPBP1 is bound to dead spermatozoa. Human ejaculates with high SDF have increased detected levels of sperm ELSPBP1 when compared to ejaculates with low native SDF. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We recruited 267 patients who were referred to the clinic for conjugal infertility. After applying exclusion criteria, such as fever within 90 days of the study, history of systemic diseases, alterations or surgical interventions to the genital tract and use of cigarette or drugs, a total of 133 patients were included. A total of 52 samples were used for the evaluation of sperm ELSPBP1 levels (Sub-study 1), 41 samples for determination of ELSPBP1 location in human sperm (Sub-study 2), and 40 samples for immunomagnetic cell sorting targeting ELSPBP1, to produce ELSPBP1(-) (without ELSPBP1) and ELSPBP1(+) (with ELSPBP1) fractions (Sub-study 3). Samples were collected between July 2016 and September 2019. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In Sub-study 1, sperm ELSPBP1 levels were assessed by western blotting. For Sub-study 2, ELSPBP1 was localized in sperm by immunocytochemistry. Finally, for Sub-study 3, sperm were selected based on incubation of semen samples with antibody-coated magnetic microspheres targeting ELSPBP1. Two fractions were produced (with or without ELSPBP1), and these sub-populations were submitted to an alkaline Comet assay for determination of SDF. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Men with high SDF presented higher sperm ELSPBP1 levels when compared to the control group (low SDF), while no difference between groups was observed in seminal plasma. ELSPBP1 was located in the head region of human sperm. The ELSPBP1(+) fractions presented high and variable levels of SDF, while their paired ELSPBP(-) fractions presented consistently low SDF. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This work did not validate the levels of ELSPBP1 in other functional alterations of sperm, such as acrosome integrity or mitochondrial activity. Moreover, this is still a pre-clinical study, intended to demonstrate proof-of-concept that ELSPBP1 selects sperm with low DNA fragmentation; further investigation is warranted to demonstrate safety for use in ART. Sperm fractions were not assessed for sperm vitality. A clinical trial is still necessary for these findings to be extrapolated to outcomes in ART. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings demonstrate that ELSPBP1 is associated with sperm with higher levels of DNA fragmentation. The finding that the sperm membrane can reflect alterations in DNA integrity could give rise to a novel molecular method for sperm preparation prior to use of assisted reproductive procedures. Moreover, the detection of sperm-bound ELSPBP1 could serve as an indirect method for the determination of DNA fragmentation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) L.B.B. was a recipient of a Ph.D. scholarship from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation-FAPESP (process number 2016/05487-3). R.P.B. is a recipient of a Scientific Productivity scholarship from the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq (process number 306705/2017-6). The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- L B Belardin
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M P Antoniassi
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M Camargo
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P Intasqui
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R P Bertolla
- Human Reproduction Section, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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The stallion sperm acrosome: Considerations from a research and clinical perspective. Theriogenology 2023; 196:121-149. [PMID: 36413868 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During the fertilization process, the interaction between the sperm and the oocyte is mediated by a process known as acrosomal exocytosis (AE). Although the role of the sperm acrosome on fertilization has been studied extensively over the last 70 years, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that govern acrosomal function, particularly in species other than mice or humans. Even though subfertility due to acrosomal dysfunction is less common in large animals than in humans, the evaluation of sperm acrosomal function should be considered not only as a complementary but a routine test when individuals are selected for breeding potential. This certainly holds true for stallions, which might display lower levels of fertility in the face of "acceptable" sperm quality parameters determined by conventional sperm assays. Nowadays, the use of high throughput technologies such as flow cytometry or mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis is commonplace in the research arena. Such techniques can also be implemented in clinical scenarios of males with "idiopathic" subfertility. The current review focuses on the sperm acrosome, with particular emphasis on the stallion. We aim to describe the physiological events that lead to the acrosome formation within the testis, the role of very specific acrosomal proteins during AE, the methods to study the occurrence of AE under in vitro conditions, and the potential use of molecular biology techniques to discover new markers of acrosomal function and subfertility associated with acrosomal dysfunction in stallions.
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Tong S, Yin C, Ge Y, Ren Z, Tao J, Liu Y. Albumin (ALB) and protein disulfide isomerase family A member 4 (PDIA4) are novel markers to predict sperm freezability of Erhualian boar. Cryobiology 2022; 109:37-43. [PMID: 36181861 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The frozen semen of Erhualian pig can promote the continuous improvement of commercial pigs, but currently, frozen semen fails to satisfy the practical application requirement. Oxidative damage is one of the crucial factors affecting the quality of frozen semen; besides, there are individual differences in boar sperm freezability. Based on the previous analysis of the proteomic differences of Erhualian boar sperm with different freezability, two differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in boar sperm, albumin (ALB) and protein disulfide isomerase family A member 4 (PDIA4), were selected as the research objects in the current study. It is assumed that redox-related proteins ALB and PDIA4 can be used as markers to predict Erhualian boar sperm freezability. We cryopreserved the semen of 14 Erhualian boars. According to the difference of frozen semen quality, boars with good and poor freezability ejaculates (GFE and PFE, n = 3) were selected respectively. The relative contents of ALB and PDIA4 in GFE and PFE were analyzed by Western blot, and the localization patterns of ALB and PDIA4 in pre-frozen and frozen-thawed sperm were detected by immunofluorescence. The results showed that the abundances of ALB and PDIA4 in GFE were significantly higher than PFE, and there was a significant correlation between the relative contents of ALB and PDIA4 and frozen-thawed sperm quality parameters. Additionally, the freezing process had no effect on the localization patterns of ALB and PDIA4 in spermatozoa. In conclusion, these results suggest that ALB and PDIA4 are related to boar sperm cryotolerance and may be used as novel freezability markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifeng Tong
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Chang Yin
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Yuzhu Ge
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Zhibin Ren
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Jingli Tao
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Animal Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
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Senra RL, Ramírez-López CJ, Magalhães-Júnior MJ, Neves JGDS, Barros E, Waddington B, Guimarães SEF, Guimarães JD, Baracat-Pereira MC. Kallikrein proteoforms and reproductive parameters in stallion are conditioned by climate. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18690. [PMID: 36333376 PMCID: PMC9636271 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21350-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Horses are seasonal polyoestrous animals, and the photoperiod is the main factor modulating their reproductive activity. There is no consensus on the andrological and biochemical factors that influence breeding seasonality. To assess the involvement of climate in reproduction, Mangalarga Marchador stallions were monitored over 1 year regarding semen quality and seminal plasma proteome. Here, we show that kallikrein (KLKs) proteoforms in seminal plasma are involved in climate conditioning of reproduction. During the breeding season, greater abundance and different types of KLKs occurred simultaneously to lower sperm motility, greater semen volumes and higher concentrations of glucose and cholesterol. Considering that vasodilation due to activation of the kallikrein-kinin system and the consequent inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system may be associated with lower sperm motility, unravelling the involvement of KLK proteoforms in reproductive seasonality is a priority in horse breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Lima Senra
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Camilo José Ramírez-López
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil ,grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Marcos Jorge Magalhães-Júnior
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - João Gabriel da Silva Neves
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil ,grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Edvaldo Barros
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Nucleus for Analysis of Biomolecules, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Bruna Waddington
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | | | - José Domingos Guimarães
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Baracat-Pereira
- grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Proteomics and Protein Biochemistry Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil ,grid.12799.340000 0000 8338 6359Nucleus for Analysis of Biomolecules, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
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Rabaglino M, Le Danvic C, Schibler L, Kupisiewicz K, Perrier J, O'Meara C, Kenny D, Fair S, Lonergan P. Identification of sperm proteins as biomarkers of field fertility in Holstein-Friesian bulls used for artificial insemination. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:10033-10046. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Viana AGDA, Ribeiro IM, Carvalho RPR, Memili E, Moura ADA, Machado-Neves M. Contributions of seminal plasma proteins to fertilizing ability of bull sperm: A meta-analytical review. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14615. [PMID: 36261879 DOI: 10.1111/and.14615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal plasma is a dynamic, intricate combination of fluids from the testicles, epididymides, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands, and prostate, containing molecules that modulate sperm functions, post-fertilization events, and the female reproductive tract physiology. Significant variations in sperm parameters and fertility status of bulls relate to differences in the seminal plasma proteome. In this framework, a meta-analytical study was conducted examining 29 studies (published between 1990 and 2021) to ascertain the effects of seminal fluid proteins on parameters associated with bull fertility and the influence of distinct methodologies on such effects. Our results revealed that seminal proteins ameliorate sperm parameters, such as motility, integrity, capacitation, and fertilizing ability, and favours sperm protection. Seminal binder of sperm proteins and beta-defensin 126 highly favoured sperm protection when cells were collected from the epididymis by retrograde flux and analysed under room temperature conditions. Furthermore, seminal proteins improved the motility and quality of Bos taurus sperm collected by artificial vagina, mainly in the presence of heparin-binding proteins. The key limitations faced by this meta-analysis were the paucity of studies evaluating the effects of whole seminal fluid proteins and the limited number of studies conducted in vivo. In conclusion, the present meta-analytical study confirms that seminal proteins improve fertility-related parameters in the bovine species. However, methodological strategies used by authors are diverse, with distinct endpoints and methods. Thus, the translational aspects of seminal plasma research should be taken into consideration to precisely define how seminal proteins can be harnessed to advance reproductive biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Erdogan Memili
- Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, USA
| | | | - Mariana Machado-Neves
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brasil.,Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brasil
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Tirpák F, Halo M, Tomka M, Slanina T, Tokárová K, Błaszczyk-Altman M, Dianová L, Ivanič P, Kirchner R, Greń A, Lukáč N, Massányi P. Sperm Quality Affected by Naturally Occurring Chemical Elements in Bull Seminal Plasma. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11091796. [PMID: 36139870 PMCID: PMC9495912 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11091796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study monitored the chemical and biochemical composition of bovine seminal plasma (SP). Freshly ejaculated semen (n = 20) was aliquoted into two parts. The first aliquot was immediately assessed to determine the sperm motion parameters. Another motility measurement was performed following an hour-long co-incubation of spermatozoa with SP at 6 °C. The other aliquot was processed to obtain the SP. Seminal plasma underwent the analyses of chemical composition and quantification of selected proteins, lipids and RedOx markers. Determined concentrations of observed parameters served as input data to correlation analyses where associations between micro and macro elements and RedOx markers were observed. Significant correlations of total oxidant status were found with the content of Cu and Mg. Further significant correlations of glutathione peroxidase were detected in relation to Fe and Hg. Furthermore, associations of chemical elements and RedOx markers and spermatozoa quality parameters were monitored. The most notable correlations indicate beneficial effects of seminal Fe on motility and Mg on velocity and viability of spermatozoa. On the contrary, negative correlations were registered between Zn and sperm velocity and seminal cholesterol content and motility. Our findings imply that seminal plasma has a prospective to be developed as the potential biomarker of bull reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Tirpák
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
- Correspondence: (F.T.); (P.M.)
| | - Marko Halo
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Marián Tomka
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Tomáš Slanina
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Tokárová
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | | | - Lucia Dianová
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Peter Ivanič
- Slovak Biological Services, Kremnička 2, 974 05 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Róbert Kirchner
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Agnieszka Greń
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland
| | - Norbert Lukáč
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Peter Massányi
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland
- Correspondence: (F.T.); (P.M.)
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20
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Spermatozoa and seminal plasma proteomics: too many molecules, too few markers. The case of bovine and porcine semen. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 247:107075. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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21
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Carboxypeptidase E protein regulates porcine sperm Ca 2+ influx to affect capacitation and fertilization. Theriogenology 2022; 192:28-37. [PMID: 36041383 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability in the epididymis, which is important for sperm maturation and capacitation. Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is a prohormone-processing enzyme and sorting receptor that functions intracellularly. Recently, CPE was identified to exist in the seminal plasma. However, little is known about the effects of CPE on reproductive function. This study focused on the effects of CPE on sperm function and fertilization. Herein, CPE was identified to be localized in the boar sperm, testis, epididymis, accessory gonad and seminal plasma, with high expression found in the bulbourethral glands and cauda epididymis. Furthermore, compared with high motility spermatozoa, a decrease in CPE abundance was observed in low motile spermatozoa by Western blot analysis. The use of specific antibody to inhibit the CPE in spermatozoa led to a decrease in sperm motility, followed by an expected decrease in acrosome exocytosis and tyrosine phosphorylation in the capacitation process. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) influx, which resulted in a significant decrease in the cleavage rate during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Based on these observations, we suggest that CPE might affect porcine sperm Ca2+ influx to participate in the regulation of sperm function during capacitation.
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22
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Wang N, Yang M, He D, Li X, Zhang X, Han B, Liu C, Hai C, Li G, Zhao Y. TMT-based quantitative N-glycoproteomic analysis reveals glycoprotein protection can improve the quality of frozen bovine sperm. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 218:168-180. [PMID: 35870621 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of bovine semen plays a vital role in accelerating genetic improvement and elite breeding, but it has a detrimental effect on sperm quality, resulting in the decline of the reproductive efficiency. The glycosylation modification of protein has irreplaceable roles in spermatozoa. Herein, the effect of cryopreservation on glycoproteins of bovine spermatozoa has been studied for the first time using a tandem mass tag (TMT)-labeled quantitative glycoproteome. A total of 2598 proteins and 492 glycoproteins were identified, including 83 different expression proteins (DEPs) and 44 different expression glycosylated proteins (DEGPs) between fresh and frozen spermatozoa. Thirty-three DEPs are glycoproteins, which demonstrates that glycoproteins of bovine sperm were seriously affected by cryopreservation. Moreover, the effects include glycoprotein expression, glycosylation modification, and substructure localization for proteins such as glycoproteins TEX101, ACRBP, and IZOMU4. The biologic functions of the 115 changed proteins are mainly involved in sperm capacitation, migration in female genitalia, and sperm-egg interaction. Mostly key regulators were identified to be glycoproteins, which confirms that glycosylated proteins played important roles in bovine sperm. This comprehensive study of sperm glycoproteins helps to unravel the cryoinjury mechanisms, thus implying that glycoprotein protection should be an effective way to improve the quality of frozen sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Ming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Dingbo He
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Biying Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Chunli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Chao Hai
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Guangpeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Yuefang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot 010020, China.
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23
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Klein EK, Swegen A, Gunn AJ, Stephen CP, Aitken RJ, Gibb Z. The future of assessing bull fertility: Can the 'omics fields identify usable biomarkers? Biol Reprod 2022; 106:854-864. [PMID: 35136971 PMCID: PMC9113469 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Breeding soundness examinations for bulls rely heavily on the subjective, visual assessment of sperm motility and morphology. Although these criteria have the potential to identify infertile males, they cannot be used to guarantee fertility or provide information about varying degrees of bull fertility. Male factor fertility is complex, and the success of the male gamete is not necessarily realized until well after the spermatozoon enters the oocyte. This paper reviews our existing knowledge of the bull’s contribution from a standpoint of the sperm’s cargo and the impact that this can have on fertilization and the development of the embryo. There has been a plethora of recent research characterizing the many molecular attributes that can affect the functional competence of a spermatozoon. A better understanding of the molecular factors influencing fertilization and embryo development in cattle will lead to the identification of biomarkers for the selection of bulls of superior fertility, which will have major implications for livestock production. To see this improvement in reproductive performance, we believe incorporation of modern technology into breeding soundness examinations will be necessary—although many of the discussed technologies are not ready for large-scale field application. Each of the ‘omics fields discussed in this review have shown promise for the identification of biomarkers of fertility, with certain families of biomarkers appearing to be better suited to different evaluations throughout a bull’s lifetime. Further research is needed for the proposed biomarkers to be of diagnostic or predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K Klein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Aleona Swegen
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Allan J Gunn
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Cyril P Stephen
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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24
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Griffin RA, Swegen A, Baker MA, Ogle RA, Smith N, Aitken RJ, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Fair S, Gibb Z. Proteomic analysis of spermatozoa reveals caseins play a pivotal role in preventing short-term periods of subfertility in stallions. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:741-755. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Stallions experience transient fluctuations in fertility throughout the breeding season. Considering pregnancy diagnoses cannot be ascertained until ~14 days post-breeding, the timely detection of decreases in stallion fertility would enhance industry economic and welfare outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the proteomic signatures reflective of short-term fertility fluctuations, and to determine the biological mechanisms governing such differences. Using LC–MS/MS, we compared the proteomic profile of semen samples collected from commercially “fertile” stallions, during high- and low-fertility periods. A total of 1702 proteins were identified, of which, 38 showed a significant change in abundance (p ≤ 0.05). Assessment of intra- and inter-stallion variability revealed that caseins (namely κ-, α-S1-, and α-S2-casein), were significantly more abundant during “high-fertility” periods, while several epididymal, and seminal plasma proteins (chiefly, epididymal sperm binding protein 1 [ELSPbP1], horse seminal plasma protein 1 [HSP-1] and clusterin), were significantly more abundant during “low-fertility” periods. We hypothesised that an increased abundance of caseins offers greater protection from potentially harmful seminal plasma proteins, thereby preserving cell functionality and fertility. In vitro exposure of spermatozoa to casein resulted in decreased levels of lipid scrambling (Merocyanine 540), higher abundance of sperm-bound caseins (α-S1-, α-S2-, and κ-casein), and lower abundance of sperm-bound HSP-1 (p ≤ 0.05). This study demonstrates key pathways governing short-term fertility fluctuations in the stallion, thereby providing a platform to develop robust, fertility assessment strategies into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Róisín Ann Griffin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Aleona Swegen
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Baker
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Ann Ogle
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nathan Smith
- Analytical and Biomedical Research Facility, Research Division, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Anthony Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
- Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Zamira Gibb
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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25
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Deng Q, Wang Z, Du Y, Zhang Y, Liang H. Transcriptional regulation of PEBP1 expression by androgen receptor in mouse testes. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2021; 68:70-79. [PMID: 34894936 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2021.2004471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Androgen and AR are essential for maintaining spermatogenesis and male fertility. Previous studies have shown that the phosphatidyl ethanolamine binding protein 1 (Pebp1) gene is down-regulated in the selective ablation of the AR in the Sertoli cells of mouse testes compared with wild-type mice, indicating that Pebp1 is a candidate target of AR. The ChIP-PCR data and ChIP-sequencing results of this study verified that Pebp1 is a target gene regulated by AR. Real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence data showed that Pebp1 is expressed at all stages of testicular development, with an increasing trend from 1 to 8 weeks of postnatal development. PEBP1 was principally located in the cytoplasm, and high-intensity fluorescence revealed PEBP in the lumen of the testicular tubules. Bioinformatics analysis indicated effective androgen-responsive elements (AREs) located in the promotor of Pepb1 gene. Dual fluorescence assay data showed that androgens and AR could bind to the AREs of Pebp1 and induce an increase of gene expression. These data suggest that Pepb1 is a newfound target gene regulated by androgens and AR in mouse Sertoli cells. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of their role in spermatogenesis still needs to be further studied.Abbreviations: AR: androgen receptor; Pebp1: phosphatidyl ethanolamine binding protein 1; ARKO: androgen receptor knockout; WT: wild type; SCARKO: Sertoli cell-selective androgen receptor knockout; ChIP: chromatin immunoprecipitation; RKIP: Raf kinase inhibitory protein; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; NF-κB: nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells; GSK-3: glycogen synthase kinase-3; RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; SEM: standard error of the mean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Deng
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Shenzhen Longhua People's Hospital, Southern Medical University 518109, Guangdong, China.,Central Laboratory, Affiliated Shenzhen Longhua People's Hospital, Southern Medical University 518109, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhu Wang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Shenzhen Longhua People's Hospital, Southern Medical University 518109, Guangdong, China
| | - Ye Du
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Shenzhen Longhua People's Hospital, Southern Medical University 518109, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Shenzhen Longhua People's Hospital, Southern Medical University 518109, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Liang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Shenzhen Longhua People's Hospital, Southern Medical University 518109, Guangdong, China
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26
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The characteristics of proteome and metabolome associated with contrasting sperm motility in goat seminal plasma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15562. [PMID: 34330982 PMCID: PMC8324791 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95138-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility is an index tightly associated with male fertility. A close relationship between seminal plasma and sperm motility has been confirmed. This study was to assess the protein and metabolite profiles of seminal plasma obtained from adult goats with high or low sperm motility using the proteomic and metabolomic strategies. In total, 2098 proteins were found. 449 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were identified, and 175 DAPs were enriched in the high motility group. The obtained DAPs primarily exist in cytoplasma and extra-cellular portion. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis demonstrated the main functional roles of these DAPs in regulating biological process, metabolic process of organic substances, cellular-metabolic process, primary-metabolic process, metabolic process of nitrogen compounds, etc. Additionally, the Kyoto-Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that these DAPs were primarily involved in phosphatidylinositol signaling system, salivary secretion, proteasome, apoptosis, mitophagy-animal, etc. Aided by the parallel reaction monitoring technology, the abundance changing pattern of 19 selected DAPs was consistent with that of the corresponding proteins obtained by TMT. A total of 4603 metabolites were identified in seminal plasma. 1857 differential metabolites were found between the high motility group and the low motility group, and 999 metabolites were up-regulated in the high motility group. The KEGG analysis demonstrated the primary involvement of the differential metabolites in metabolic and synthetic activities. In conclusion, we first established the proteome and metabolome databank of goat seminal plasma, detecting some proteins and metabolites which may affect sperm motility. This study will be valuable for understanding mechanisms leading to poor sperm motility.
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27
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Fuentes-Albero MC, González-Brusi L, Cots P, Luongo C, Abril-Sánchez S, Ros-Santaella JL, Pintus E, Ruiz-Díaz S, Barros-García C, Sánchez-Calabuig MJ, García-Párraga D, Avilés M, Izquierdo Rico MJ, García-Vázquez FA. Protein Identification of Spermatozoa and Seminal Plasma in Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus). Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:673961. [PMID: 34336830 PMCID: PMC8323341 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins play an important role in many reproductive functions such as sperm maturation, sperm transit in the female genital tract or sperm-oocyte interaction. However, in general, little information concerning reproductive features is available in the case of aquatic animals. The present study aims to characterize the proteome of both spermatozoa and seminal plasma of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a model organism for cetaceans. Ejaculate samples were obtained from two trained dolphins housed in an aquarium. Spermatozoa and seminal plasma were analyzed by means of proteomic analyses using an LC-MS/MS, and a list with the gene symbols corresponding to each protein was submitted to the DAVID database. Of the 419 proteins identified in spermatozoa and 303 in seminal plasma, 111 proteins were shared by both. Furthermore, 70 proteins were identified as involved in reproductive processes, 39 in spermatozoa, and 31 in seminal plasma. The five most abundant proteins were also identified in these samples: AKAP3, ODF2, TUBB, GSTM3, ROPN1 for spermatozoa and CST11, LTF, ALB, HSP90B1, PIGR for seminal plasma. In conclusion, this study provides the first characterization of the proteome in cetacean sperm and seminal plasma, opening the way to future research into new biomarkers, the analysis of conservation capacity or possible additional applications in the field of assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari-Carmen Fuentes-Albero
- Department of Biology, Avanqua-Oceanogràfic S.L, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Leopoldo González-Brusi
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Paula Cots
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Chiara Luongo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Silvia Abril-Sánchez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Luis Ros-Santaella
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eliana Pintus
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Sara Ruiz-Díaz
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María-Jesús Sánchez-Calabuig
- Department of Animal Reproduction, National Agricultural and Food Research and Technology Institute (INIA), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- Department of Biology, Avanqua-Oceanogràfic S.L, Valencia, Spain.,Research Department, Fundación Oceanogràfic, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Avilés
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Mᵃ José Izquierdo Rico
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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28
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Xu Y, Han Q, Ma C, Wang Y, Zhang P, Li C, Cheng X, Xu H. Comparative Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics Analysis Reveal the Possible Breed Difference in Yorkshire and Duroc Boar Spermatozoa. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:652809. [PMID: 34336820 PMCID: PMC8322956 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.652809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm cells are of unique elongated structure and function, the development of which is tightly regulated by the existing proteins and the posttranslational modifications (PTM) of these proteins. Based on the phylogenetic relationships of various swine breeds, Yorkshire boar is believed to be distinctly different from Duroc boar. The comprehensive differential proteomics and phosphoproteomics profilings were performed on spermatozoa from both Yorkshire and Duroc boars. By both peptide and PTM peptide quantification followed by statistical analyses, 167 differentially expressed proteins were identified from 1,745 proteins, and 283 differentially expressed phosphopeptides corresponding to 102 unique differentially phosphorylated proteins were measured from 1,140 identified phosphopeptides derived from 363 phosphorylated proteins. The representative results were validated by Western blots. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed that majority of differential expression proteins and differential phosphorylation proteins were primarily concerned with spermatogenesis, male gamete generation, sperm motility, energy metabolism, cilium morphogenesis, axonemal dynein complex assembly, sperm–egg recognition, and capacitation. Remarkably, axonemal dynein complex assembly related proteins, such as SMCP, SUN5, ODF1, AKAP3, and AKAP4 that play a key regulatory role in the sperm physiological functions, were significantly higher in Duroc spermatozoa than that of Yorkshire. Furthermore, phosphorylation of sperm-specific proteins, such as CABYR, ROPN1, CALM1, PRKAR2A, and PRKAR1A, participates in regulation of the boar sperm motility mainly through the cAMP/PKA signal pathway in different breeds, demonstrating that protein phosphorylation may be an important mechanism underlying the sperm diversity. Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that the 14 overlapped proteins between differential expression proteins and differential phosphorylation proteins potentially played a key role in sperm development and motility of the flagellum, including the proteins ODF1, SMCP, AKAP4, FSIP2, and SUN5. Taken together, these physiologically and functionally differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins (DPPs) may constitute the proteomic backgrounds between the two different boar breeds. The validation will be performed to delineate the roles of these PTM proteins as modulators of Yorkshire and Duroc boar spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Xu
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China.,Institute for Conservation and Utilization of Agro-Bioresources in Dabie Mountains, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Qiu Han
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Chaofeng Ma
- Xinyang Animal Disease Control and Prevention Center, Xinyang, China
| | - Yaling Wang
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China.,Institute for Conservation and Utilization of Agro-Bioresources in Dabie Mountains, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Cencen Li
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China.,Institute for Conservation and Utilization of Agro-Bioresources in Dabie Mountains, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Xiaofang Cheng
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China.,Institute for Conservation and Utilization of Agro-Bioresources in Dabie Mountains, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
| | - Haixia Xu
- College of Life Science, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China.,Institute for Conservation and Utilization of Agro-Bioresources in Dabie Mountains, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, China
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29
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Souza FA, Martins JAM, Emerick LL, Laskoski LM, Perez-Osorio J, de Souza FF, Paredes Cañon AL, do Vale Filho VR. Seminal plasma insulin-like growth factor I and total protein concentration in peripubertal period of the Gyr bulls. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:1279-1285. [PMID: 34219301 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of seminal plasma IGF-I and total proteins from peripubertal bulls with semen characteristics and onset of puberty. Sixteen dairy Gyr bulls were separated into early (n = 8) and regular (n = 8) groups, according to the onset of puberty. Semen was monthly collected by electroejaculation from 14 to 26 months of age, and the onset of puberty was retrospectively determined (17.0 ± 1.6 and 19.2 ± 1.5 months, to early and regular group, respectively). Five time points were evaluated (day -60, day -30, day 0, day 30 and day 60 days of puberty), being day 0 considered as beginning of puberty. Scrotal circumference and body weight were also assessed. Semen characteristics were evaluated, the seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation and total protein and IGF-I concentrations were determined. There was no difference between groups to concentration of the seminal plasma total proteins, but we found an interaction between group and age. Seminal plasma IGF-I concentrations were not different between early and regular groups; thus, the data were combined for analysis. Combined IGF-I concentrations were positively correlated with sperm motility and concentration, age, body weight and scrotal circumference. Negative correlation was found between IGF-I concentration and total sperm defects. Increased IGF-I was observed in day -30 and day 0 of puberty in early and regular groups, respectively. Seminal plasma total proteins are involved in peripubertal modifications and IGF-I from Zebus dairy bulls can influence the seminal characteristics and the growth factor increase occurs concomitantly with body growth but cannot be used to define puberty bulls earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge André Matias Martins
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias e da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Cariri, Juazeiro do Norte, Brasil
| | | | | | - Jair Perez-Osorio
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fabiana Ferreira de Souza
- Departamento de Cirurgia Veterinária e Reprodução Animal, FMVZ, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Astrid L Paredes Cañon
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Producción de Hato, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
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Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Young and Adult Bull ( Bos taurus) Cryopreserved Semen. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072013. [PMID: 34359141 PMCID: PMC8300238 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The age of the bull is widely accepted to influence the production of sperm, affecting the amount and quality of produced semen, which in turn impacts the results of cryopreservation. However, the exact influence of the maturation process on cryopreserved sperm, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of this process, are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in the proteome of thawed semen (spermatozoa and supernatant) collected from young and adult bulls (n = 6) using the 2D-DIGE approach. The quality of semen was assessed using a CASA system and flow cytometry. We found no significant age-related variation in semen quality, with the exception of the average path velocity of sperm movement, which was higher in adult bulls. Proteomic analysis indicated 15 spermatozoa proteins and 10 supernatant proteins with significant age-related changes. Our results suggest that semen from adult bulls is better equipped with proteins related to energy production, protection of spermatozoa against oxidative stress and fertilizing ability. Proteins increased in abundance in young bull spermatozoa were connected to the cytoskeleton and its development, which strongly suggests that developmental processes are still in progress. In conclusion, our results provide novel insight into the mechanism of the development of the male reproductive system of cattle.
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Zakošek Pipan M, Zrimšek P, Jakovac Strajn B, Pavšič Vrtač K, Knific T, Mrkun J. Macro- and microelements in serum and seminal plasma as biomarkers for bull sperm cryotolerance. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:25. [PMID: 34225759 PMCID: PMC8256501 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00590-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wide variation in fertility rates is observed when using frozen bull semen, even when the bulls have met quality standards for semen production. Therefore, a simple and reliable test to assess the freezing potential of bull semen based on the analysis of fresh semen or blood would be of great value. Attention is now turning to assessment of seminal plasma components such as proteins and elements. In the present study, the concentrations of macro- and microelements in fresh bull semen plasma and in serum and their correlation with quality characteristics of fresh semen and with semen quality after freezing and thawing were determined. Ejaculates were collected from 30 mature bulls, and semen volume, concentration, sperm motility, morphology, tail membrane integrity, plasma membrane permeability and DNA fragmentation were determined on the day of collection and after freezing and thawing. The concentrations of macroelements (Na, Mg, K and Ca) and microelements (Cu, Fe, Zn and Se) were determined in the seminal plasma and serum. The semen samples were classified into satisfactory and unsatisfactory groups according to the fresh semen quality. Results Zinc and Se levels measured in serum were associated with almost all fresh and frozen-thawed semen quality characteristics, while Fe levels were associated only with acrosomal defects in fresh semen. Zinc and Fe levels in fresh seminal plasma were associated with various quality characteristics of fresh and frozen-thawed semen, while Se level in fresh seminal plasma was not associated with any of the semen quality characteristics. Conclusions Microelements were shown to be useful as biomarkers involved in the analysis of bull sperm quality and could be used as an additional tool to predict bull semen quality after freezing and thawing. Our results confirm that the analysis of Zn and Se levels in serum and Zn, Cu and Fe levels in fresh seminal plasma can provide information to discriminate between bull semen samples with spermatozoa with high or low cryotolerance.
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Bastan I, Akcay E. Quality assessment of frozen bull semen with the precursor A-kinase anchor protein 4 biomarker. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14164. [PMID: 34212411 DOI: 10.1111/and.14164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the quality of frozen bull semen was evaluated with the proAKAP4 level test. Sixty straws of frozen bull semen from various batches (n = 30) belonging to six bulls were used in the current study. The frozen bull semen samples were analysed in terms of proAKAP4 levels, sperm morphology and sperm movement parameters at hour 0 and hour 3 after thawing. The semen samples were divided into three groups according to the proAKAP4 levels: low concentration (<25 ng/10x106 spermatozoa), moderate concentration (25 to 39 ng/10x106 spermatozoa) and high concentration (≥40 ng/10x106 spermatozoa). A positive correlation was found between the proAKAP4 level and total motility (TM3 ), progressive motility (PM3 ), VSL3 and VCL3 values obtained after the third-hour thermoresistance test (p < .05). There was a negative correlation between the percentage of sperm abnormal tail and the proAKAP4 level (p < .01). In addition, it was observed that the semen samples with proAKAP4 concentrations of 25 ng/106 spermatozoa and higher preserved the TM3 and PM3 motility characteristics. In conclusion, the proAKAP4 has the potential to become a biomarker protein to evaluate in the quality analysis of frozen-thawed semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilktan Bastan
- Genetics and Embryo Technologies Application and Research Center, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Ergun Akcay
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, University of Ankara, Ankara, Turkey
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Özbek M, Hitit M, Kaya A, Jousan FD, Memili E. Sperm Functional Genome Associated With Bull Fertility. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:610888. [PMID: 34250055 PMCID: PMC8262648 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.610888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bull fertility is an important economic trait in sustainable cattle production, as infertile or subfertile bulls give rise to large economic losses. Current methods to assess bull fertility are tedious and not totally accurate. The massive collection of functional data analyses, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, helps researchers generate extensive knowledge to better understand the unraveling physiological mechanisms underlying subpar male fertility. This review focuses on the sperm phenomes of the functional genome and epigenome that are associated with bull fertility. Findings from multiple sources were integrated to generate new knowledge that is transferable to applied andrology. Diverse methods encompassing analyses of molecular and cellular dynamics in the fertility-associated molecules and conventional sperm parameters can be considered an effective approach to determine bull fertility for efficient and sustainable cattle production. In addition to gene expression information, we also provide methodological information, which is important for the rigor and reliability of the studies. Fertility is a complex trait influenced by several factors and has low heritability, although heritability of scrotal circumference is high and that it is a known fertility maker. There is a need for new knowledge on the expression levels and functions of sperm RNA, proteins, and metabolites. The new knowledge can shed light on additional fertility markers that can be used in combination with scrotal circumference to predict the fertility of breeding bulls. This review provides a comprehensive review of sperm functional characteristics or phenotypes associated with bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Memmet Özbek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Hitit
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Kaya
- Department of Artificial Insemination and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Frank Dean Jousan
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Erdogan Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
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Hidalgo MMT, Almeida ABMD, Moraes FLZD, Marubayashi RYP, Souza FFD, Barreiros TRR, Martins MIM. Sperm subpopulations influence the pregnancy rates in cattle. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:1117-1127. [PMID: 34013640 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to study the characteristics and subpopulations of spermatozoa from bulls with low and high reproductive performance based on pregnancy rates. Based on historical records of pregnancy rate from four farms, 24 bulls were selected. Two groups were established, with low pregnancy rates (n = 12; LOW), including bulls that presented pregnancy rates <52.27% (33.33% to 51.81%); and a group with high pregnancy rates (n = 12; HIGH), with pregnancy rates >52.27% (52.27% to 69.64%), after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). The thawed sperm straws were analysed to sperm kinetics, morphology, plasma membrane integrity and sperm subpopulations. The LOW group exhibited a higher proportion of static cells (p < .05). In contrast, the HIGH group showed greater percentages for membrane integrity and total and progressive motility, and cells with fast and medium velocity (p < .05). In the cluster procedures, four sperm subpopulations were established. The low-fertility bulls presented the highest percentage of subpopulation 2 (41.46%), characterized by slow and progressive spermatozoa. The high-fertility bulls exhibited the highest percentage of subpopulation 3 (37.17%), characterized by fast and nonlinear spermatozoa. Results from this study indicated that bulls with greater percentages of fast and nonlinear spermatozoa seem to have greater fertilization capacity and the subpopulations analysis can be considered a tool to identify ejaculates with high fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Beatriz Marques de Almeida
- Laboratório de Andrologia e Reprodução Animal Assistida (LARAA), Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fabiana Ferreira de Souza
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Thales Ricardo Rigo Barreiros
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia da Reprodução Animal, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP), Bandeirantes, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Mello Martins
- Laboratório de Andrologia e Reprodução Animal Assistida (LARAA), Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil
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Evaluation of α5β1 integrin as a candidate marker for fertility in bull sperm samples. Theriogenology 2021; 168:66-74. [PMID: 33862426 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
With the progressive increase in the use of reproductive biotechnologies in the cattle industry, like artificial insemination and in vitro embryo production, the accurate determination of fertilizing competence of cryopreserved sperm samples is an essential issue. The routine methodology to assess bull sperm quality relies primarily on count, viability and motility of spermatozoa. However, these parameters do not tightly predict the reproductive success of samples. Therefore, identification of complementary markers of sperm functionality to strengthen the predictability of traditional spermogram is desirable to improve livestock reproduction practices. Previous results from our laboratory indicated that α5β1 integrin plays a key role in bovine sperm function and mediates their interaction with the female reproductive tract. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether the localization of α5β1 held a correlation with fertilizing ability of bovine cryopreserved semen samples. Firstly, we assessed the quality of samples from six different bulls (A-F). We determined motility and viability of sperm samples after thawing and selection. Additionally, we measured the capacitation state of the samples by chlortetracycline (CTC) assay in the presence or absence of heparin, as an indicator of their responsiveness to a capacitating stimulus. Based on these assays, samples were classified being A the bull with the lowest quality and F the bull with the highest quality. Then, we studied the presence and localization of α5β1 integrin. This protein showed a distribution pattern in the acrosomal (A), post-acrosomal (P) and acrosomal + post-acrosomal (A + P) regions with different localization percentages among the studied samples. Next, we determined the fertilizing ability of the samples in in vitro fertilization (IVF) assays and performed correlation analyses between IVF outcome and the routine spermogram parameters or α5β1 integrin localization patterns. When the percentage of cells showing α5β1 integrin was compared to fertilization rate, no correlation was observed. However, the presence of α5β1 integrin in P and A + P regions (PA pattern), positively correlated with IVF rate (p < 0.05). These results suggest that while routine semen analyses failed to predict sperm reproductive competence, integrin localization in post-acrosomal region (PA pattern) showed a positive correlation with IVF outcome, thus posing an attractive marker to predict more accurately the reproductive performance of an individual.
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Willforss J, Morrell JM, Resjö S, Hallap T, Padrik P, Siino V, de Koning DJ, Andreasson E, Levander F, Humblot P. Stable bull fertility protein markers in seminal plasma. J Proteomics 2021; 236:104135. [PMID: 33540068 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Bull fertility is an important trait in breeding as the semen of one bull can, potentially, be used to perform thousands of inseminations. The high number of inseminations needed to obtain reliable measures from Non-Return Rates to oestrus creates difficulties in assessing fertility accurately. Improving molecular knowledge of seminal properties may provide ways to facilitate selection of bulls with good semen quality. In this study, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the protein content from the seminal plasma of 20 bulls with Non-Return Rates between 35 and 60%, sampled across three seasons. Overall, 1343 proteins were identified and proteins with consistent correlation to fertility across multiple seasons found. From these, nine protein groups had a significant Pearson correlation (p < 0.1) with fertility in all three seasons and 34 protein groups had a similar correlation in at least two seasons. Among notable proteins showing a high and consistent correlation across seasons were Osteopontin, a lipase (LIPA) and N-acetylglucosamine-1phosphotransferase subunit gamma. Three proteins were combined in a multiple linear regression to predict fertility (r = 0.81). These sets of proteins represent potential markers, which could be used by the breeding industry to phenotype bull fertility. SIGNIFICANCE: The ability of bull spermatozoa to fertilize oocytes is crucial for breeding efficiency. However, the reliability of this trait from field measures is relatively low and the prediction of fertility given by conventional methods to evaluate sperm quality is currently not very accurate. In this work, we identify sets of proteins in bull seminal plasma from repeated samples collected at different times of the year that correlate to fertility in a consistent way. We combined these individual proteins to build a molecular signature predictive of fertility. This study provides an overview of proteins linked to fertility in seminal plasma, thereby increasing knowledge of the bull seminal plasma proteome. Protein signatures from the latter, potentially related to fertility, may be of use to predict fertility for individual bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Willforss
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - J M Morrell
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - S Resjö
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - T Hallap
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - P Padrik
- Animal Breeders' Association of Estonia, Raplamaa, Estonia
| | - V Siino
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - D J de Koning
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Andreasson
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - F Levander
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - P Humblot
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Zeng F, Chen Y, Guo C, Li C, Wei H, Li L, Meng L, Zhang S. Analysis of differentially abundant proteins related to boar fertility in seminal plasma using iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics. J Proteomics 2021; 236:104120. [PMID: 33540064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Animal fertility is one of the most important characteristics for the livestock breeding industry. Conventional semen analysis provides basic information on sperm quality, but the predictive value of such analysis with regard to fertility remains questionable. Therefore, it is important to determine and predict male fertility more accurately in the clinic. To identify seminal plasma proteins involved in fertility, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (quantitative proteomic analysis) were used to identify differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in seminal plasma between high- and low-reproductive-efficiency Landrace boars. A total of 141 DAPs were identified, of which 125 upregulated and 16 downregulated proteins were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. These DAPs were found to be mainly involved in proteolysis, ATP binding, and energy metabolism. We investigated the relevance of three DAPs-ceruloplasmin, carboxypeptidase E (CPE), and serpin family A member 12 (SERPINA12)-in an in vitro fertility assay. This assay revealed that the inhibition of these proteins with antibodies can reduce or increase the fertilization rate. These results indicate possible biomarkers for the selection of high-fertility boars and provide a theoretical basis for the use of protein biomarkers in the livestock breeding industry. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study identified differentially abundant proteins in the seminal plasma of high-reproductive-efficiency and low-reproductive-efficiency Landrace boars. These proteins may be used as biomarkers to screen out high-fertility boars. The study can provide not only a new method for improving the effects of artificial insemination and reproductive efficiency of boars but also an important reference for boar breeding. Meanwhile, because pigs and humans have similar physiological parameters and organ sizes, our findings can also serve as a reference for human reproduction research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanwen Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yuming Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Kaiping Guangsanbao Pig Industry Co., Ltd, Jiangmen 529300, China
| | - Conghui Guo
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chengde Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hengxi Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Li Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Li Meng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shouquan Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industryg, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science of South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Zinovieva NA, Dotsev AV, Sermyagin AA, Deniskova TE, Abdelmanova AS, Kharzinova VR, Sölkner J, Reyer H, Wimmers K, Brem G. Selection signatures in two oldest Russian native cattle breeds revealed using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242200. [PMID: 33196682 PMCID: PMC7668599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Native cattle breeds can carry specific signatures of selection reflecting their adaptation to the local environmental conditions and response to the breeding strategy used. In this study, we comprehensively analysed high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes to characterise the population structure and detect the selection signatures in Russian native Yaroslavl and Kholmogor dairy cattle breeds, which have been little influenced by introgression with transboundary breeds. Fifty-six samples of pedigree-recorded purebred animals, originating from different breeding farms and representing different sire lines, of the two studied breeds were genotyped using a genome-wide bovine genotyping array (Bovine HD BeadChip). Three statistical analyses—calculation of fixation index (FST) for each SNP for the comparison of the pairs of breeds, hapFLK analysis, and estimation of the runs of homozygosity (ROH) islands shared in more than 50% of animals—were combined for detecting the selection signatures in the genome of the studied cattle breeds. We confirmed nine and six known regions under putative selection in the genomes of Yaroslavl and Kholmogor cattle, respectively; the flanking positions of most of these regions were elucidated. Only two of the selected regions (localised on BTA 14 at 24.4–25.1 Mbp and on BTA 16 at 42.5–43.5 Mb) overlapped in Yaroslavl, Kholmogor and Holstein breeds. In addition, we detected three novel selection sweeps in the genome of Yaroslavl (BTA 4 at 4.74–5.36 Mbp, BTA 15 at 17.80–18.77 Mbp, and BTA 17 at 45.59–45.61 Mbp) and Kholmogor breeds (BTA 12 at 82.40–81.69 Mbp, BTA 15 at 16.04–16.62 Mbp, and BTA 18 at 0.19–1.46 Mbp) by using at least two of the above-mentioned methods. We expanded the list of candidate genes associated with the selected genomic regions and performed their functional annotation. We discussed the possible involvement of the identified candidate genes in artificial selection in connection with the origin and development of the breeds. Our findings on the Yaroslavl and Kholmogor breeds obtained using high-density SNP genotyping and three different statistical methods allowed the detection of novel putative genomic regions and candidate genes that might be under selection. These results might be useful for the sustainable development and conservation of these two oldest Russian native cattle breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Anatolievna Zinovieva
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, settl. Dubrovitzy, Podolsk Region, Moscow Province, Russia
- * E-mail:
| | - Arsen Vladimirovich Dotsev
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, settl. Dubrovitzy, Podolsk Region, Moscow Province, Russia
| | - Alexander Alexandrovich Sermyagin
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, settl. Dubrovitzy, Podolsk Region, Moscow Province, Russia
| | - Tatiana Evgenievna Deniskova
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, settl. Dubrovitzy, Podolsk Region, Moscow Province, Russia
| | - Alexandra Sergeevna Abdelmanova
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, settl. Dubrovitzy, Podolsk Region, Moscow Province, Russia
| | - Veronika Ruslanovna Kharzinova
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, settl. Dubrovitzy, Podolsk Region, Moscow Province, Russia
| | - Johann Sölkner
- Division of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henry Reyer
- Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology [FBN], Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Klaus Wimmers
- Institute of Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology [FBN], Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Gottfried Brem
- L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry, Federal Agency of Scientific Organizations, settl. Dubrovitzy, Podolsk Region, Moscow Province, Russia
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine [VMU], Vienna, Austria
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Vasectomy and Photoperiodic Regimen Modify the Protein Profile, Hormonal Content and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity of Ram Seminal Plasma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218063. [PMID: 33138035 PMCID: PMC7663742 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This work aimed to determine the contribution of the testis and epididymis and the effect of the photoperiodic regimen on ram seminal plasma (SP). Semen was collected from 15 mature rams located in an equatorial (Colombian Creole and Romney Marsh, eight intact and two vasectomized) or a temperate climate (Rasa Aragonesa, three intact and two vasectomized). SP proteins were analyzed by Bradford, SDS-PAGE and difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE). Melatonin and testosterone concentrations were quantified by ELISA, and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRD), and catalase by enzymatic assays. Vasectomy increased protein concentration and the intensity of high molecular weight bands (p < 0.001), with no differences between breeds. DIGE revealed the absence of six proteins in vasectomized rams: angiotensin-converting enzyme, lactotransferrin, phosphoglycerate kinase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase and epididymal secretory protein E1. Vasectomy also decreased melatonin concentrations in seasonal rams, and testosterone in all of them (p < 0.001), but did not affect antioxidant enzyme activity. Equatorial rams showed lower melatonin and testosterone concentration (p < 0.01) and catalase, but higher GPx activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, vasectomy modifies the protein profile and hormonal content of ram seminal plasma, whereas the exposure to a constant photoperiod affects hormonal concentration and antioxidant enzymes activity.
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Gibb Z, Griffin RA, Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN. Functions and effects of reactive oxygen species in male fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 220:106456. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Pongsiri W, Rungruangsak J, Pant SD, Stephen CP. The effect of false mount on quality of frozen-thawed semen in Bos indicus beef bulls. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:673-677. [PMID: 32201413 PMCID: PMC7273598 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of false mounts (FM) on quality of frozen-thawed semen in beef bulls. Five mature Brahman bulls at the Standard Semen Production Center in Thailand were
subjected to semen collection. Overall, 60 ejaculates were collected over a 12-week period of which 30 were collected without, and another 30 were collected using FM. A range of quality
parameters of fresh, pre-frozen, and frozen-thawed semen were evaluated. Use of FM resulted in significant improvement of most parameters of fresh semen except progressive motility and sperm
viability. The quality parameters of pre-frozen and frozen-thawed semen also significantly improved with FM. Use of FM significantly improved the viability of frozen-thawed semen, possibly
indicating the protective effect of seminal plasma proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Worapong Pongsiri
- School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW-2678, Australia.,Bureau of Biotechnology in Livestock Production, Department of Livestock Development, 12000, Thailand
| | - Janyaporn Rungruangsak
- Bureau of Biotechnology in Livestock Production, Department of Livestock Development, 12000, Thailand
| | - Sameer D Pant
- School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW-2678, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW-2678, Australia
| | - Cyril P Stephen
- School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW-2678, Australia.,Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW-2678, Australia
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Ibanescu I, Siuda M, Bollwein H. Motile sperm subpopulations in bull semen using different clustering approaches - Associations with flow cytometric sperm characteristics and fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 215:106329. [PMID: 32216932 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There are sperm subpopulations (SPs) with different kinematic characteristics in various species, however, biological relevance of these SPs is still uncertain. The objective of the present study was to investigate associations of motile sperm SPs with sperm characteristics determined by evaluations with flow cytometry and assessment of bull fertility, using multiple approaches for sperm clustering. Semen from 24 bulls was evaluated concomitantly using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry before freezing and after thawing. Motile SPs were determined utilizing two acknowledged clustering methods (TwoStep and K-Means) and one customized method. With the customized method, there was utilization of mean values of sperm velocity and linearity as thresholds for direct assignment of motile spermatozoa into four SPs. Regardless of approach for identifying SPs, sperm quality, as determined using flow cytometry, was correlated particularly with the subpopulation (SP) of fast and linear spermatozoa immediately after thawing and with the SP of fast and nonlinear spermatozoa before freezing and 3 h after thawing. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between proportion of spermatozoa with fast and nonlinear movements before freezing and bull non-return to estrous rates. These results indicate that with different sperm SPs, there are different biological implications which can be evaluated to gain useful information concerning semen quality as determined using flow cytometry and fertility. Furthermore, determining SPs by assigning motile spermatozoa into clusters based on a combination of "below and "above" threshold values for sperm velocity and linearity might be considered a practical alternative to otherwise intricate clustering procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulian Ibanescu
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland; Besamungsverein Neustadt a. d. Aisch e.V., Karl-Eibl-Strasse 23, 91413, Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany.
| | - Mathias Siuda
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heinrich Bollwein
- Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Rickard JP, de Graaf SP. Sperm surface changes and their consequences for sperm transit through the female reproductive tract. Theriogenology 2020; 150:96-105. [PMID: 32067798 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa are faced with considerable challenges during their passage through the female reproductive tract. Following deposition, they must deal with several physical and biochemical barriers as well as an aggressive immune defence system before they reach the site of fertilisation. While many factors are at play, the surface characteristics of spermatozoa are central to communication with the female and successful transit. The surface proteome of spermatozoa has been extensively studied and shown to vary considerably between species that deposit semen in the vagina (ram and bull) and uterus (boar and stallion), likely due to major differences in accessory sex gland anatomy. Comparing the surface characteristics of spermatozoa from these domestic species and how individual components may equip spermatozoa to interact with different features of the female tract could help understand how spermatozoa navigate from vagina or uterus to oviduct ampulla. Furthermore, we can begin to explain why use of high quality preserved spermatozoa in artificial insemination programs may still result in reduced fertility due to altered interaction with the female. In this review, we describe the sperm surface characteristics of the ram, bull, boar and stallion and compare changes as a result of mixture with seminal plasma and/or in vitro processing. The role of these seminal components in facilitating sperm survival and transit within the female reproductive tract is summarised, drawing attention to potential implications for applied reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Rickard
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - S P de Graaf
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Fu Q, Pan L, Huang D, Wang Z, Hou Z, Zhang M. Proteomic profiles of buffalo spermatozoa and seminal plasma. Theriogenology 2019; 134:74-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Kasimanickam VR, Kasimanickam RK. An Efficient Approach for RNA Extraction from Boar Sperm and Seminal Plasma. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3284. [PMID: 33654799 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite transcriptional silencing in mature sperm and cytoplasmic expulsion of RNA during the final sperm maturation process, thousands of RNAs have been successfully identified in ejaculated sperm. Although most of RNAs' function is still unknown, it is suggested that sperm RNAs have a vital biological role in fertilization and post-fertilization events. Nevertheless, the lack of accurate RNA isolation techniques and the resultant good quality sperm RNA has hampered the exploration of sperm RNAs function. Additionally, small non-coding RNAs are found in extracellular fluids including seminal plasma. These small RNAs may participate in cell to cell communication or intracellular and extracellular message transmission. Developing precise protocols to extract RNA from sperm and seminal plasma is critical to elucidate sperm physiology and paternal contributions to fertilization and post-fertilization events. A detailed procedure consisting of semen collection, separation of sperm and seminal plasma, extracting RNA from sperm and seminal plasma, and determining the quantity and quality of RNA for boar semen is presented here. This efficient protocol can be extrapolated to isolate RNAs from sperm and seminal plasma across mammalian species.
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Abstract
During ejaculation and deposition in the female genital tract, spermatozoa are exposed to seminal plasma, a mix of secretions primarily from the accessory sex glands. Proteins, which make up the largest contribution to seminal plasma by weight, have been the focus of much interest, in particular the identification of specific proteins both in the plasma and/or found bound to the sperm surface post ejaculation. Global proteomic studies of seminal plasma originating from a range of species over the last 15 years have revealed their hitherto unknown diversity and complexity. Seminal plasma is generally known to aid sperm survival and fertility in a range of species and studies have begun to reveal its link with sperm function and identification, as markers of fertility. This review summarises recent data on proteins found on the sperm surface that originate from seminal plasma and have subsequently been shown to correlate with fertility, with a focus on the pig.
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Integrated analysis of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in the semen from Holstein bulls with high and low sperm motility. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2092. [PMID: 30765858 PMCID: PMC6376035 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38462-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility is the main index used to assess the quality of bull semen. It may also be used to evaluate the fertility potential of bulls. Protein-coding mRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) participate in the regulation of spermatogenesis. Here, we employed strand-specific RNA sequencing to profile the semen transcriptome (mRNA and lncRNA) of six paired full-sibling Holstein bulls with divergent sperm motility and to determine the functions of mRNA and lncRNA in sperm motility. Among 20,875 protein-encoding genes detected in semen, 19 were differentially expressed between the high sperm motility group (H: H1, H2, and H3) and low sperm motility group (L: L1, L2, and L3). Of the 11,561 lncRNAs identified in sperm, 2,517 were differentially expressed between the H and L groups. We found that TCONS_00041733 lncRNA targets the node gene EFNA1 (ephrin A1), involved in male reproductive physiology. Our study provides a global mRNA and lncRNA transcriptome of bull semen, as well as novel insights into the regulation of neighboring protein coding by lncRNAs and the influence of mRNAs on sperm motility.
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