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Reproduction (Cambridge, England)2004; 127(5); 593-600; doi: 10.1530/rep.1.00096

Equine seminal plasma reduces sperm binding to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and improves the fertility of fresh semen inseminated into inflamed uteri.

Abstract: Seminal plasma (SP) is known to have immunosuppressive properties in several species. Equine SP has been reported to reduce or inhibit chemotaxis, phagocytosis and complement activity in vitro. The type and amount of the SP component that suppresses sperm-polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) binding in vitro was determined, and the effect of such suppression on the fertility of mares inseminated in the presence of uterine inflammation, was analyzed. Sperm cells were suspended in either SP, semen extender or a mixture of both, and each was mixed with PMN-rich uterine secretions collected at 12 h after artificial insemination (AI). SP reduced binding between spermatozoa and PMNs significantly (P < 0.05). Fertile spermatozoa were suspended in SP or semen extender and used to inseminate mares 12 h after the induction of uterine inflammation. The pregnancy rate was normal (77%) when spermatozoa were suspended in SP, but was dramatically reduced to only 5% when spermatozoa were suspended in extender. The proteins from SP, blood plasma (BP) and a skim-milk-based semen extender (skim milk extender, SME) were precipitated by ammonium sulfate, resuspended in PBS and dialyzed. The effect of the precipitated proteins on sperm-PMN binding was compared with fresh, untreated SP. Both fresh SP, and isolated SP proteins reduced sperm-PMN binding (P < 0.001). Conversely, proteins isolated from either BP or SME did not reduce sperm-PMN binding. The different concentrations of SP proteins used showed a dose-dependent suppression of sperm-PMN binding. Concentrations of 1 mg/ml SP protein significantly reduced sperm-PMN binding and 6 mg/ml reduced the binding to a level similar to that observed with fresh whole SP (P < 0.001). Finally, SP protein digested with proteinase K resulted in the complete loss of SP suppressive activity confirming that the effective component is a proteinaceous substance.
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Publication Date: 2004-05-07 PubMed ID: 15129015DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00096Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research paper elaborates on how equine seminal plasma (SP) decreases sperm bonding with polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and enhances the fertility of fresh semen introduced into inflamed uteri in mares.

Objectives and Methodology

  • This study primarily focuses on the immunosuppressive properties of equine SP. It specifically explores its influence on chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and complement activity in vitro.
  • The researchers examined the kind and quantity of SP element that stifles sperm-PMN binding in vitro, and the repercussions of this limitation on the fertility rate in mares with uterine inflammation.
  • To achieve this, sperm cells were introduced into SP, semen extender, or a blend of both and each mix was then combined with PMN-rich uterine secretions collected 12 hours after artificial insemination (AI).

Findings

  • The study reveals that SP significantly reduced the binding between spermatozoa and PMNs.
  • After inflaming the uteri, fertile spermatozoa suspended in either SP or semen extender were used to inseminate the mares. The result showed that when spermatozoa were suspended in SP the pregnancy rate was normal (77%). However, when spermatozoa were introduced through a semen extender, the fertility rate plunged to only 5%.
  • Moreover, both fresh SP, as well as isolated SP proteins, resulted in a noticeable reduction in sperm-PMN binding.
  • Conversely, proteins isolated from either blood plasma (BP) or a skim-milk-based semen extender (SME) did not exhibit a reduction in sperm-PMN binding.

Further Investigation

  • The study further sought to understand the difference in concentrations of SP proteins and its effects. They found that the suppression of sperm-PMN binding depended on the doses of SP proteins put to use. For instance, concentrations of 1mg/ml SP protein significantly brought down sperm-PMN binding and 6mg/ml reduced the binding to a level akin to that observed with fresh whole SP.
  • Lastly, the researchers discovered that digestion of SP protein with proteinase K led to the complete loss of SP suppressive activity, which confirmed that the factor having an effect is a proteinaceous constituent.

Cite This Article

APA
Alghamdi AS, Foster DN, Troedsson MH. (2004). Equine seminal plasma reduces sperm binding to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and improves the fertility of fresh semen inseminated into inflamed uteri. Reproduction, 127(5), 593-600. https://doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.00096

Publication

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
ISSN: 1470-1626
NlmUniqueID: 100966036
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 127
Issue: 5
Pages: 593-600

Researcher Affiliations

Alghamdi, A S
  • Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, University of Minnesota, St Paul, 55108, USA. algh0007@umn.edu
Foster, D N
    Troedsson, M H T

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Blood Proteins / immunology
      • Blood Proteins / pharmacology
      • Cells, Cultured
      • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
      • Female
      • Horses / physiology
      • Immunosuppression Therapy / methods
      • Inflammation
      • Male
      • Neutrophils / physiology
      • Pregnancy
      • Pregnancy, Animal / physiology
      • Protein Binding
      • Semen / immunology
      • Seminal Plasma Proteins / immunology
      • Seminal Plasma Proteins / pharmacology
      • Spermatozoa / physiology
      • Uterus / immunology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 25 times.
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