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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Biol Endocrinol / Interaction of milk proteins and Binder of Sperm (BSP) prote...
Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2015; 13; 92; doi: 10.1186/s12958-015-0093-1

Interaction of milk proteins and Binder of Sperm (BSP) proteins from boar, stallion and ram semen.

Abstract: Mammalian semen contains a family of closely related proteins known as Binder of SPerm (BSP proteins) that are added to sperm at ejaculation. BSP proteins extract lipids from the sperm membrane thereby extensively modifying its composition. These changes can ultimately be detrimental to sperm storage. We have demonstrated that bovine BSP proteins interact with major milk proteins and proposed that this interaction could be the basis of sperm protection by milk extenders. In the present study, we investigated if homologous BSP proteins present in boar, stallion and ram seminal plasma display a similar affinity for the milk proteins in order to assess whether the mechanism of sperm protection by milk for these species could be general. Methods: Skim milk was incubated with seminal plasma proteins (boar, stallion and ram), chromatographed on a Sepharose CL-4B column and protein fractions were analyzed by immunoblotting. Results: Boar, stallion and ram BSP proteins displayed affinity for a milk protein fraction (F1) mainly composed of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, and κ-casein. They also had affinity for another milk protein fraction (F2) composed mostly of casein micelles. However, stallion BSP showed higher affinity for the fraction (F1). Conclusions: These results further extend our view that the association of BSP proteins with milk proteins could be a general feature of the mechanism of mammalian sperm protection by milk to prevent detrimental effect of prolonged exposure of sperm to seminal plasma.
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Publication Date: 2015-08-15 PubMed ID: 26272219PubMed Central: PMC4536704DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0093-1Google 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.

The research article discusses the interaction between proteins found in milk and a type of protein present in mammalian sperm, known as Binder of Sperm (BSP). The study reveals that this interaction may play a key role in protecting the sperm and preventing damage during storage.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used Skim milk which they incubated with seminal plasma proteins from boar, stallion, and ram. The choice of these animals aimed at assessing whether the mechanism of sperm protection by milk could be applied generally across different species.
  • The mixture was then chromatographed (a method of separating out the different proteins present within the mixture) on a Sepharose CL-4B column.
  • The protein fractions obtained from the above procedure were analyzed using a screening method called immunoblotting.

Research Findings

  • Boar, stallion, and ram BSP proteins exhibited an affinity for a milk protein fraction (F1) which was primarily composed of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, and κ-casein. These proteins represent major constituents of milk, and their interaction with the BSP proteins suggests a potential protective mechanism for sperm cells.
  • BSP proteins also showed affinity towards another milk protein fraction (F2) which was composed mostly of casein micelles, a type of protein complex found in milk.
  • The stallion BSP proteins showed a higher affinity for the F1 fraction, implying a particularly strong interaction between milk proteins and sperm proteins in stallions.

Conclusions

  • From the results, the researchers concluded that the interactions between BSP proteins and milk proteins could potentially be a general characteristic of the mechanism used to protect mammalian sperm.
  • These findings suggest that milk may inhibit the detrimental effect of prolonged exposure of sperm to seminal plasma by interacting with BSP proteins, therefore aiding in sperm storage.

Cite This Article

APA
Plante G, Lusignan MF, Lafleur M, Manjunath P. (2015). Interaction of milk proteins and Binder of Sperm (BSP) proteins from boar, stallion and ram semen. Reprod Biol Endocrinol, 13, 92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-015-0093-1

Publication

Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E
ISSN: 1477-7827
NlmUniqueID: 101153627
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 13
Pages: 92
PII: 92

Researcher Affiliations

Plante, Geneviève
  • Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3J7. genevieve.plante@umontreal.ca.
  • Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, 5415 L'Assomption blvd, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H1T 2M4. genevieve.plante@umontreal.ca.
Lusignan, Marie-France
  • Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3J7. lusignanmf@sympatico.ca.
  • Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, 5415 L'Assomption blvd, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H1T 2M4. lusignanmf@sympatico.ca.
Lafleur, Michel
  • Department of Chemistry, Center for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3J7. michel.lafleur@umontreal.ca.
Manjunath, Puttaswamy
  • Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3J7. puttaswamy.manjunath@umontreal.ca.
  • Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, 5415 L'Assomption blvd, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H1T 2M4. puttaswamy.manjunath@umontreal.ca.
  • Puttaswamy Manjunath, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, 5415 L'Assomption blvd, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H1T 2M4. puttaswamy.manjunath@umontreal.ca.

MeSH Terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Milk Proteins / genetics
  • Milk Proteins / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Semen / metabolism
  • Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins / genetics
  • Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins / metabolism
  • Sheep
  • Species Specificity
  • Sus scrofa

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Ďuračka M, Benko F, Tvrdá E. Molecular Markers: A New Paradigm in the Prediction of Sperm Freezability. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Feb 8;24(4).
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  2. Moura AA, Memili E, Portela AMR, Viana AG, Velho ALC, Bezerra MJB, Vasconselos FR. Seminal plasma proteins and metabolites: effects on sperm function and potential as fertility markers. Anim Reprod 2018 Jul-Sep;15(Suppl 1):691-702.
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  4. Neila-Montero M, Alvarez M, Riesco MF, Soriano-Úbeda C, Montes-Garrido R, Palacin-Martinez C, de Paz P, Anel L, Anel-Lopez L. The Adaptation Time to the Extender as a Crucial Step for an Accurate Evaluation of Ram Sperm Quality during the Liquid Storage. Vet Sci 2024 Mar 16;11(3).
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