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Andrology2023; doi: 10.1111/andr.13464

Effect of testicular degeneration on expression of sperm protein at 22 kDa in stallions.

Abstract: Sperm protein at 22 kDa has been associated with fertility. Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the localization pattern of SP22 on ejaculated and caudal epididymal equine spermatozoa and in epididymal fluid, and to (2) characterize SP22 protein and mRNA expression in testicular and epididymal tissues in response to heat-induced testicular degeneration. Methods: Semen was collected before and after hemi-castration, as well as prior to and following insulation of the remaining testes, and tissue specimens were collected for analysis. Results: Histopathology confirmed degeneration in insulated testes. Ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa from samples collected prior to insulation of the testicles had a predominant staining pattern of SP22 over the equatorial region. However, the equatorial pattern in the pre-insulation epididymal semen samples was significantly lower than in the pre-insulation ejaculated semen samples (68 ± 3, 81 ± 2.6, respectively). Ejaculated and epididymal samples collected after insulation of the testicles showed a complete loss of staining as the predominant pattern. Western blot analysis verified the presence of SP22 on fresh ejaculated spermatozoa prior to and following heat-induced degeneration, on epididymal spermatozoa after testicular insulation, and in testicular and epididymal tissues. Heat insulation significantly reduced messenger RNA expression in the head of the epididymis and testicular tissues. Immunohistochemistry of the testicular and epididymal tissues pre-heating showed considerably weaker staining than the same tissues post-heating. Conclusions: It was concluded that heat-induced testicular damage causes both loss and relocation of SP22 on the sperm membrane. Future studies are warranted to determine the diagnostic value of these findings.
© 2023 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-23 PubMed ID: 37220913DOI: 10.1111/andr.13464Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study explores how heat-induced testicular degeneration in stallions affects the expression and location of the sperm protein SP22, which is associated with fertility. The research involved collection and analysis of semen before and after testicular insulation and hemi-castration, with findings indicating that heat-induced damage causes both loss and relocation of SP22 on the sperm membrane.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The study had two main objectives: to identify where the sperm protein SP22 is located on both ejaculated and epididymal equine sperm and in epididymal fluid, and to characterize how SP22 protein and mRNA expression in the testes and epididymal tissues changes due to heat-induced testicular degeneration.
  • Methods involved collecting semen before and after hemi-castration, and also before and after testicular insulation. Tissue samples were also collected for analysis.

Results and Findings

  • Testicular degeneration in insulated testes was confirmed through histopathology.
  • Prior to insulation, SP22 was predominantly found in the equatorial region of ejaculated and epididymal sperm. However, there was a significant decrease in this pattern in the pre-insulation epididymal semen compared to the ejaculated semen.
  • After testicular insulation, both ejaculated and epididymal samples showed a complete loss of SP22 staining.
  • Western blotting confirmed the presence of SP22 on fresh ejaculated sperm both before and after heat-induced degeneration, on epididymal sperm after testicular insulation, and in testicular and epididymal tissues.
  • The heat insulation led to a significant decrease in mRNA expression in the head of the epididymis and in the testes.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis showed considerably weaker staining in testicular and epididymal tissues before heating than after.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that heat-induced testicular damage results in both a loss and relocation of SP22 on the sperm membrane.
  • The findings from this study suggest that further research is required to determine the diagnostic value of these observations.

Cite This Article

APA
Miller LMJ, Woodward EM, Campos JR, Squires EL, Troedsson MHT. (2023). Effect of testicular degeneration on expression of sperm protein at 22 kDa in stallions. Andrology. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13464

Publication

Andrology
ISSN: 2047-2927
NlmUniqueID: 101585129
Country: England
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Miller, Lynda M J
  • Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA.
Woodward, Elizabeth M
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Campos, Juliana R
  • Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Squires, Edward L
  • Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Troedsson, Mats H T
  • Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Waqas MS, Arroyo E, Tibary A. Diagnostic Approach to Equine Testicular Disorders. Vet Sci 2024 May 29;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11060243pubmed: 38921990google scholar: lookup
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