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Home / Equine Research Bank / Theriogenology / Acrosomal marker SP-10 (gene name Acrv1) for staging of the ...
Theriogenology2020; 156; 214-221; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.046

Acrosomal marker SP-10 (gene name Acrv1) for staging of the cycle of seminiferous epithelium in the stallion.

Abstract: The acrosome plays a critical role in sperm-oocyte interactions during fertilization. SP-10 is an acrosomal matrix protein, which is evolutionarily conserved among mammals. The SP-10 antibody has been shown to be useful for staging the seminiferous cycle in the mouse and human. A canonical acrosomal marker; however, has never been used for staging in the horse. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the presence of SP-10 within the horse acrosome using an anti-mouse SP-10 antibody, to classify spermatids based on the shape of the acrosome, and then to use that information to assign stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Testes from mature stallions with history of normospermic ejaculates were used for immunohistochemistry. We found that the mouse SP-10 antibody stained the horse acrosome vividly in testis cross-sections, indicating evolutionary conservation. Previous methods based on morphology alone without the aid of an antibody marker showed 8 stages in the horse seminiferous epithelium. Morphological detail of the acrosome afforded by the SP-10 marker in this study identified 16 steps of spermatids. This, in turn, led to the identification of 12 distinct stages in the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium of the horse wherein stage I shows recently formed round spermatids and stage XII includes meiotic divisions; a classification that is consistent with other animal models. The SP-10 antibody marks the acrosome in a way that enables researchers in the field to identify stages of spermatogenesis in the horse easily. In conclusion, we demonstrated that immunolabeling for SP-10 can be an objective approach to stage the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in normospermic stallions; future studies will determine if SP-10 could be used to assess testicular dysfunction.
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Publication Date: 2020-07-06 PubMed ID: 32758798PubMed Central: PMC7541689DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.046Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examines the presence of a particular protein, SP-10, in the sperm production cycle of horses using a comparatively standard marker, and suggests it could be a new way to identify different stages of sperm development in these stallions.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The researchers aimed to study the presence of a specific protein called SP-10 within the sperm-producing structures of the horse. SP-10 was detected using an antibody initially developed for mice.
  • The team also sought to classify spermatids, which are immature sperm cells, based on the shape of the acrosome, a cap-like structure in the sperm cell.
  • The intention was to use this information to assign different stages of the sperm production process, also known as the seminiferous cycle.
  • The study used the testes of fully mature stallions with a history of producing normal amounts of sperm.

Key Findings

  • The mouse-sp10 antibody significantly stained the horse acrosome in testis cross-sections. This suggests the protein’s presence, indicating that it has been conserved throughout evolution and is not species-specific.
  • Past methods that relied only on appearance without an antibody marker could identify 8 stages in the horse sperm production cycle. However, the use of the SP-10 marker in this study could identify 16 steps of spermatids.
  • The SP-10 marker helped to identify 12 distinct stages in the sperm production process where stage I displays recently formed round spermatids, and stage XII includes meiotic divisions. These classifications are in line with those in other animal models.
  • The SP-10 antibody allows researchers to identify various stages of sperm production in horses more easily.

Conclusion and Implication for Further Studies

  • The study proves that immunolabeling for SP-10 can be an objective way to stage the cycle of the sperm-producing epithelium in stallions that produce normal amounts of sperm.
  • Future studies will explore whether SP-10 can also be used to assess testicular dysfunction or abnormal sperm production in stallions.

Cite This Article

APA
Cruz A, Sullivan DB, Doty KF, Hess RA, Canisso IF, Reddi PP. (2020). Acrosomal marker SP-10 (gene name Acrv1) for staging of the cycle of seminiferous epithelium in the stallion. Theriogenology, 156, 214-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.046

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 1879-3231
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 156
Pages: 214-221
PII: S0093-691X(20)30397-6

Researcher Affiliations

Cruz, Anamaria
  • Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA.
Sullivan, Derek B
  • Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA.
Doty, Karen F
  • Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA.
Hess, Rex A
  • Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA.
Canisso, Igor F
  • Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA; Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA.
Reddi, Prabhakara P
  • Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, USA. Electronic address: preddi@illinois.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Acrosome
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Seminiferous Epithelium
  • Spermatids
  • Spermatogenesis
  • Testis

Grant Funding

  • R01 HD036239 / NICHD NIH HHS
  • R01 HD094546 / NICHD NIH HHS
  • R29 HD036239 / NICHD NIH HHS
  • T35 OD011145 / NIH HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declaration of competing interest None.

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