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Binding of Equine Seminal Lactoferrin/Superoxide Dismutase (SOD-3) Complex Is Biased towards Dead Spermatozoa. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010052. [PMID: 36611662 PMCID: PMC9817809 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm-neutrophil binding is an important facet of breeding and significantly impacts fertility. While a specific seminal plasma protein has been found to reduce this binding and improve fertility (CRISP-3), additional molecule(s) appear to promote binding between defective sperm and neutrophils. Recent work has suggested one of these proteins is lactoferrin (LF), an 80 kDa iron-binding protein found throughout the body, but the purity of the protein was not confirmed. It is unknown if LF binds to sperm selectively based on viability, and if receptors for LF are located on equine sperm. To evaluate this, we attempted to purify equine seminal LF from five stallions (n = 5), biotinylate LF, and evaluate potential binding site(s) on spermatozoa. LF was consistently associated with superoxide dismutase (SOD-3), and all attempts to separate the two proteins were unsuccessful. Flow cytometric and microscopic analyses were used to compare LF/SOD-3 binding to viable and nonviable spermatozoa. Additionally, various methods of biotinylation were assessed to optimize this methodology. Biotinylation of seminal plasma protein was an effective and efficient method to study seminal plasma protein properties, and the binding site for LF/SOD-3 was found to be broadly localized to the entire sperm cell surface as well as selective towards nonviable/defective sperm. Although we were not able to determine if the binding to equine spermatozoa was through LF or SOD-3, we can conclude that equine seminal LF is tightly bound to SOD-3 and this protein complex binds selectively to nonviable spermatozoa, possibly to mark them for elimination by neutrophil phagocytosis.
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Zinc-binding proteins in stallion seminal plasma as potential sperm function regulators. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2022-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Sperm functions may be influenced by seminal plasma (SP) proteins with affinity to zinc ions. The aim of the study was to isolate and characterise zinc-binding proteins (ZnBPs) from stallion SP using proteomic tools. Zinc-binding proteins were isolated from the SP of eight stallions by zinc-affinity chromatography. They were analysed in the SDS-PAGE system, and peptide extracts were prepared. Samples of ZnBPs isolated from stallion SP were injected onto the nLC-1000 nanoflow HPLC system coupled via a nano-electrospray ion source to the Orbitrap Elite FTMS mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific). Raw MS data were analysed using MaxQuant software with label-free quantification (LFQ). Protein sequences were obtained from the UniProt database. Forty-seven proteins in ZnBPs were annotated in a gene ontology (GO) analysis. The LFQ intensity analysis of individual proteins revealed that ZnBPs comprised mainly clusterin (CLU, 27%), serin protease inhibitor F1 (SERPINF1, 13%), actin, cytoplasmic 1 (ACTB, 9%), nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2, 8%) and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR, 6%). This is the first proteomic study to analyse ZnBPs in stallion SP. The present findings show that ZnBPs in stallion SP could play an important role in the regulation of sperm function.
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Su J, Wang C, Song Y, Yang Y, Cao G. Effect of lactoferrin on ram sperm motility after cryopreservation. Anim Biosci 2022; 35:1351-1359. [PMID: 35240020 PMCID: PMC9449401 DOI: 10.5713/ab.21.0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to analyse the differentially abundant proteins caused by freeze-thawing of ram sperm and explore candidate proteins of interest for their ability to improve ram sperm cryopreservation outcomes in vitro . Methods Sperm were from three mature Dorper. Fresh and frozen sperm proteins were extracted, and the differentially abundant proteins were analysed by mass spectrometry (MS). Among these proteins, lactoferrin(LTF) was selected to be added before cryopreservation. Next, sperm samples were diluted in Tris extender, with the addition of 0μg/ml,10 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 500 μg/ml, 1000 μg/ml of LTF. After thawing, sperm quality evaluated by motility, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results Cryopreservation significantly altered the abundance of 40 proteins; the abundance of 16 proteins was increased, while that of 24 proteins was decreased. Next, LTF was added to Tris extender applied to ram sperm. The results showed that sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity were significantly improved (p<0.05) by supplementation with 10 μg/ml LTF compared to those in the control group. There was no significant difference in mitochondrial activity between the 0μg/ml group and other groups (p>0.05). Supplementation of the cryoprotective extender with 10 μg/ml LTF led to decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels compared with those in the control and other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion LTF is an important protein during cryopreservation, and the addition of 10 μg/ml LTF to a cryoprotective extender can significantly improve the function of frozen ram sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Caiyun Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Yongli Song
- Research Center for Animal Genetic Resources of Mongolia Plateau,Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot 010021, China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultured & Animal Husbandry Sciences,Huhhot 010000, China
| | - Guifang Cao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot 010018, China
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Fedorka C, Scoggin K, Boakari Y, Hoppe N, Squires E, Ball B, Troedsson M. The anti-inflammatory effect of exogenous lactoferrin on breeding-induced endometritis when administered post-breeding in susceptible mares. Theriogenology 2018; 114:63-69. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Martins HS, da Silva GC, Cortes SF, Paes FO, Martins Filho OA, Araujo M, Stahlberg R, Lagares MA. Lactoferrin increases sperm membrane functionality of frozen equine semen. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53:617-623. [PMID: 29431233 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
During cryopreservation, sperm was submitted to an increase in reactive oxygen species generation. This work aimed to improve the quality of frozen equine sperm after the addition of antioxidants lactoferrin (Lf) and catalase (Cat) to a freezing extender. Semen from six stallions was frozen with the extenders: F1) control, INRA 82 freezing extender, F2) F1 + 500 μg/ml Lf and F3) F1 + 200 IU/ml Cat. After thawing, sperm motility parameters, membrane functionality and integrity, and acrosome integrity and spontaneous acrosome-reacted sperm were evaluated with a computer-assisted sperm analysis, a hypoosmotic swelling test and epifluorescent microscopy, respectively. Nitrite, hydroperoxide and iron concentrations of frozen semen were measured with spectrophotometry. The percentage of functional membrane sperm treated with Lf was higher (50.7% ± 11.6%) compared to that of the control (37.6% ± 15.6%), while the iron (61.4 ± 11.6 vs 73.3 ± 13.8 mg/dl) and nitrite concentrations (16.3 ± 7.1 vs 25.9 ± 4.2 μM/μg protein) were lower, respectively (p < .05). Thus, it can be suggested that Lf protect stallion spermatozoon during freezing as it has increased the percentage of sperm with functional membrane and decreased the lipid oxidant agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Martins
- Departamento de Clinica e Cirurgia Veterinárias da Escola de Veterinária da, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - G C da Silva
- Departamento de Farmacologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - S F Cortes
- Departamento de Farmacologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - F O Paes
- Departamento de Clinica e Cirurgia Veterinárias da Escola de Veterinária da, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - O A Martins Filho
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Diagnóstico e Monitoração, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mss Araujo
- Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou - Fiocruz, Laboratório de Biomarcadores de Diagnóstico e Monitoração, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - R Stahlberg
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Pontifícia, Universidade Católica- PUC Minas, Betim, Brazil
| | - M A Lagares
- Departamento de Clinica e Cirurgia Veterinárias da Escola de Veterinária da, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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The Effect of Cysteine-Rich Secretory Protein-3 and Lactoferrin on Endometrial Cytokine mRNA Expression After Breeding in the Horse. J Equine Vet Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Fedorka CE, Scoggin KE, Woodward EM, Squires EL, Ball BA, Troedsson M. The effect of select seminal plasma proteins on endometrial mRNA cytokine expression in mares susceptible to persistent mating-induced endometritis. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 52:89-96. [PMID: 27686063 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the horse, breeding induces a transient endometrial inflammation. A subset of mares are unable to resolve this inflammation, and they are considered susceptible to persistent mating-induced endometritis PMIE Select seminal plasma proteins cysteine-rich secretory protein-3 (CRISP-3) and lactoferrin have been shown to affect the innate immune response to sperm in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of CRISP-3 and lactoferrin at the time of insemination had an effect on the mRNA expression of endometrial cytokines in susceptible mares after breeding. Six mares classified as susceptible to PMIE were inseminated during four consecutive oestrous cycles with treatments in randomized order of: 1 mg/ml CRISP-3, 150 μg/ml lactoferrin, seminal plasma (positive control) or lactated Ringer's solution (LRS; negative control) to a total volume of 10 ml combined with 1 × 109 spermatozoa pooled from two stallions. Six hours after treatment, an endometrial biopsy was obtained for qPCR analysis of selected genes associated with inflammation (pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (INF)-γ, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1RN and IL-10, and inflammatory-modulating cytokine IL-6). Seminal plasma treatment increased the mRNA expression of IL-1β (p = .019) and IL-8 (p = .0068), while suppressing the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). Lactoferrin also suppressed the mRNA expression of TNF (p = .0013). In conclusion, exogenous lactoferrin may be considered as one modulator of the complex series of events resulting in the poorly regulated pro-inflammatory response seen in susceptible mares.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Fedorka
- Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - K E Scoggin
- Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - E M Woodward
- Department of Clinical Sciences, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - E L Squires
- Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - B A Ball
- Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Mht Troedsson
- Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Martins HS, Souza MR, Penna CFAM, da Silva GC, Côrtes SF, Stahlberg R, Lagares MA. Milk, caseinate and lactoferrin addition to equine semen cooling extenders. Andrologia 2016; 48:862-868. [PMID: 27739145 DOI: 10.1111/and.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cooled semen has been used routinely to prolong sperm viability until artificial insemination time. However, spermatozoa are subjected to oxidative stress. The aim of the present work was to investigate the protective and antioxidant effect of the milk proteins lactoferrin (Lf) and caseinate added to equine semen cooling extenders. Semen from six stallions was cooled at 5 °C after resuspension with C1) milk- and glucose-based, C2) 0.6% caseinate, C3) C2 + Lf 200 μg ml-1 , C4) C2 + Lf 500 μg ml-1 and C5) C2 + Lf 1000 μg ml-1 extenders, and kept at 5 °C for 24 h. Sperm motility characteristics and intact membrane rates were not different among the treatments (P > 0.05). As a result of the cooling process, the nitrite concentration increased significantly in the cooled semen (69.6 ± 78.9 μm per ×106 spermatozoa) compared with the fresh semen (8.6 ± 1.9 μm per ×106 spermatozoa). In contrast, the H2 O2 concentrations were lower in the 0.6% caseinate extender (265.9 ± 221.3 μm per ×106 spermatozoa) than in the milk extender (430.9 ± 199.8 μm per ×106 spermatozoa, P < 0.05), showing an antioxidative effect of the caseinate compared with the milk. However, in all groups, hydrogen peroxide concentrations were similar to the undiluted fresh semen (332.8 ± 151.3 μm per ×106 spermatozoa). Caseinate showed to be as efficient as milk to protect equine-cooled spermatozoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Martins
- Clinic and surgery department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M R Souza
- Technology and Inspection of Products of Animal, Origin Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - C F A M Penna
- Technology and Inspection of Products of Animal, Origin Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - G C da Silva
- Institute of Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - S F Côrtes
- Institute of Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - R Stahlberg
- Veterinary Faculty, PUC Minas, Betim, Bairro Angola, Betim, MG, Brazil
| | - M A Lagares
- Clinic and surgery department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Pearl CA, Roser JF. Lactoferrin expression and secretion in the stallion epididymis. Reprod Biol 2014; 14:148-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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10
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Pearl CA, Roser JF. Expression of lactoferrin in the boar epididymis: effects of reduced estrogen. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2008; 34:153-9. [PMID: 17320339 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2007.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2006] [Revised: 12/20/2006] [Accepted: 01/08/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Lactoferrin is regulated by estrogen in the female reproductive tract and evidence in immature mice suggests that it may be estrogen regulated in males as well. The estrogen regulation of lactoferrin in the epididymis of the boar, a high estrogen-producing male, is unknown. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that lactoferrin expression in the boar epididymis is regulated by estrogen. Twenty-one littermate pairs of boars were treated with vehicle or Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, from 1 week of age until castration at 2 through 8 months. Epididymal tissue was collected at castration and fixed for immunolocalization of lactoferrin. Epididymal and testicular tissues were also collected from five mature boars (1-2.5 years) and fixed for immunocytochemistry (ICC). Lactoferrin was localized in the principal cell cytoplasm of the caput, corpus and cauda of developing boars but only in the corpus and cauda of mature boars. Basal cells were negative for lactoferrin. Sperm in the corpus and cauda was also positive for lactoferrin. The efferent ducts and testes were negative for lactoferrin. Intensity of lactoferrin immunostaining increased with age in the corpus and cauda regardless of treatment. Reduced endogenous estrogen in the epididymis during development did not affect the intensity of immunostaining between control and Letrozole-treated animals. Lactoferrin expression in the epididymis of the developing boar does not appear to be regulated by estrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Pearl
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, United States
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Barton MH, Hurley D, Norton N, Heusner G, Costa L, Jones S, Byars D, Watanabe K. Serum Lactoferrin and Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Healthy or Ill Neonatal Foals and Healthy Adult Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2006.tb00766.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Töpfer-Petersen E, Ekhlasi-Hundrieser M, Kirchhoff C, Leeb T, Sieme H. The role of stallion seminal proteins in fertilisation. Anim Reprod Sci 2005; 89:159-70. [PMID: 16125345 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Seminal plasma proteins are secretory proteins originating mainly from the epididymis and the accessory sex glands. They are involved in the remodelling of the sperm surface which occurs during sperm transit through the male genital tract and continues later at ejaculation. During this process, collectively called post-testicular sperm maturation, the spermatozoa acquire the ability to fertilise an egg. Seminal plasma proteins have been shown to contribute to early and central steps of the fertilisation sequence, e.g. the establishment of the oviductal sperm reservoir, modulation of capacitation and gamete interaction. The major equine seminal plasma proteins belong to three protein classes, which contain widely occurring protein modules. Fn-2 type proteins are characterised by two or four tandemly arranged Fn-2 modules and have been implicated in the modulation of sperm capacitation. Multiple members of the cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISP) have been identified in the male genital tract of a number of species. CRISP proteins have been shown to be involved in various functions related to sperm-oocyte fusion, innate host defense function and ion channel blockage. Spermadhesins occur only in ungulate species. Their carbohydrate- and zona pellucida-binding properties would suggest a role of these proteins in gamete recognition. The major proteins of equine seminal plasma have been isolated and characterised regarding their expression along the male genital tract, protein structure and their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edda Töpfer-Petersen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 15, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Larkins
- Nutritional Laboratories, Raglan, Gwent, Monmouthshire NP15 2DJ, UK
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Kikuchi M, Takao Y, Tokuda N, Ohnami Y, Orino K, Watanabe K. Relationship between seminal plasma lactoferrin and gonadal function in horses. J Vet Med Sci 2004; 65:1273-4. [PMID: 14665762 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.65.1273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Total 78 semen samples were obtained from 27 Thoroughbred stallions (aged 6 to 27 years), and were subjected to quantification of lactoferrin (Lf) in seminal plasma and examination of the seminal properties. The seminal plasma Lf concentration varied from 21 to 689 microg/ml, with a mean value of 244 +/- 151 microg/ml (S.D.). The seminal plasma Lf concentration and total seminal plasma Lf positively correlated with the sperm concentration (r=0.5938, P<0.001) and with the total sperm number (r=0.6959, P<0.001), respectively. There was no correlation between seminal plasma Lf and sperm motility. These results suggest that seminal plasma Lf reflects gonadal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motohiro Kikuchi
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
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Kikuchi M, Mizoroki S, Kubo T, Ohiwa Y, Kubota M, Yamada N, Orino K, Ohnami Y, Watanabe K. Seminal plasma lactoferrin but not transferrin reflects gonadal function in dogs. J Vet Med Sci 2003; 65:679-84. [PMID: 12867726 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.65.679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin purified from canine seminal plasma by a three-step chromatography procedure had a molecular mass of 75.2 kDa and cross-reacted with antiserum to equine seminal plasma lactoferrin. Seminal plasma lactoferrin concentrations were determined by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by using rabbit anti-equine lactoferrin antibody and alkaline phosphatase-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody in 14 normal dogs and found to range from 12 to 197 micro g/ml, with a mean value of 77 +/- 59 micro g/ml (the mean +/- SD). Seminal plasma transferrin concentrations were determined by a sandwich ELISA with goat antibody to canine serum transferrin and alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-canine transferrin antibody and found to range from 0.32 to 12.6 micro g/m l, with a mean value of 2.44 +/- 3.25 micro g/m l. The lactoferrin concentration significantly correlated with the sperm concentration (r=0.7025, P<0.01), but there was no significant correlation between the seminal plasma transferrin concentration and sperm density. These results indicate that seminal plasma lactoferrin, but not transferrin, reflects gonadal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motohiro Kikuchi
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
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