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Theriogenology2019; 131; 52-60; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.03.011

Expression, localization, and concentration of A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) and its precursor (proAKAP4) in equine semen: Promising marker correlated to the total and progressive motility in thawed spermatozoa.

Abstract: A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) is playing a central role in flagellar structure, chemotaxis, capacitation and sperm motility. In mammals, AKAP4 is expressed during spermatogenesis. AKAP4 is synthesized as a precursor, proAKAP4, which is cleaved into mature AKAP4 during fibrous sheath assembly. The proAKAP4 is a good indicator of sperm quality in humans and boars. The aims of this work were to study the expression, the localization and the concentration of proAKAP4 and AKAP4 in equine semen, and to evaluate the possible correlation between the total and progressive motility and the concentration of proAKAP4 measured by ELISA in post-thawed semen. Frozen sperm from 13 different stallions were used. Semen samples (n = 17) were prepared using the INRA Freeze medium to reach a concentration of 150 million spermatozoa/mL, packaged and frozen in 0.5 mL straws. The precursor proAKAP4 and the mature protein AKAP4 both localize to the fibrous sheath of the principle piece of equine sperm flagellum. The concentrations of proAKAP4 were determined in the post-thawed semen using ELISA method (Horse 4MID kits, 4BioDx, France). The mean concentration of proAKAP4 was then of 7.372 ± 0.79 ng/μL and was significantly correlated with the post-thawed total motility (Pearson coefficient r = 0.66, p = 0.002) and progressive motility (Pearson coefficient r = 0.76, p = 0.0002) and the amount of proAKAP4 represent the amount of spermatozoa that expressed proAKAP4. Taken together, these preliminary results confirm the interest to use proAKAP4 concentrations as a promising marker of stallion sperm quality as close correlation was observed between the proAKAP4 concentration and sperm motility parameters.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2019-03-21 PubMed ID: 30947075DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.03.011Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research is a study investigating the expression, localization, and concentration of the proteins AKAP4 and proAKAP4 in horse semen, their correlation with sperm motility, and the potential of proAKAP4 as an indicator of sperm quality.

Understanding AKAP4 and proAKAP4

  • The A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) is a protein that is crucial for the functions of sperm, including its structure, chemotaxis (the movement directed by chemical stimuli), capacitation (the final maturation stage of a spermatozoon in the female genital tract), and motility (movement).
  • During spermatogenesis (the process of sperm cell development), AKAP4 is expressed, and it is synthesized as a precursor protein called proAKAP4. ProAKAP4 is then cleaved, or split, to form the mature AKAP4 protein during the assembly of the fibrous sheath, a major component of the structure of a sperm cell.
  • In humans and boars, existing research has found that proAKAP4 is a good gauge of sperm quality. This study aims to explore if the same holds true in horses.

The Research Methodology

  • For the study, the researchers used frozen sperm from 13 different horses. The semen samples were prepared using a specific medium, frozen, and then thawed for analysis.
  • The researchers measured the concentrations of proAKAP4 in the post-thawed semen using an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method, which is a test that measures the immune response in the body.
  • The researchers also analyzed how proAKAP4 and AKAP4 are expressed and located in the sperm cell processes, particularly in the fibrous sheath of the principle piece of the sperm flagellum (tail).

Findings and Implications

  • Through analysis, the researchers found that the mean concentration of proAKAP4 was significantly associated with the total motility and progressive motility of the thawed sperm.
  • They also discovered that the amount of proAKAP4 is reflective of the amount of sperm cells that expressed proAKAP4.
  • These preliminary findings suggest that proAKAP4 might be a useful marker for assessing the quality of stallion sperm, due to the observed correlation between the protein’s concentration and sperm motility parameters.
  • This study’s results may have implications in breeding and veterinary practices, potentially assisting in improving the effectiveness of reproduction efforts for horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Blommaert D, Sergeant N, Delehedde M, Jouy N, Mitchell V, Franck T, Donnay I, Lejeune JP, Serteyn D. (2019). Expression, localization, and concentration of A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) and its precursor (proAKAP4) in equine semen: Promising marker correlated to the total and progressive motility in thawed spermatozoa. Theriogenology, 131, 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.03.011

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 1879-3231
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 131
Pages: 52-60
PII: S0093-691X(18)30710-6

Researcher Affiliations

Blommaert, D
  • LINALUX-MLS, Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, 1, Vielsalm, 6698, Belgium.
Sergeant, N
  • SPQI - 4BioDx, 1, Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille, France; Univ. Lille, Inserm UMRS 1172, Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille, France.
Delehedde, M
  • SPQI - 4BioDx, 1, Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille, France.
Jouy, N
  • Univ. Lille, Plateau de Cytométrie, Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille, France.
Mitchell, V
  • SPQI - 4BioDx, 1, Place de Verdun, 59045, Lille, France; Univ. Lille, EA4308, 59045, Lille, France.
Franck, T
  • Center for Oxygen Research and Development (CORD), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. Electronic address: t.franck@uliege.be.
Donnay, I
  • Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
Lejeune, J P
  • LINALUX-MLS, Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, 1, Vielsalm, 6698, Belgium.
Serteyn, D
  • LINALUX-MLS, Centre Européen du Cheval, Mont-le-Soie, 1, Vielsalm, 6698, Belgium; Equine Clinic, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Semen / metabolism
  • Sperm Motility

Citations

This article has been cited 26 times.
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