Proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolic functions and fertilization predominate in stallions with better motility.
Abstract: Even in stallions with sperm quality within normal reference ranges at ejaculation, subtle differences in sperm quality exist that in many cases lead to reduced time frames for conservation of the ejaculate and/or reduced fertility. The spermatozoon is a cell highly suitable for proteomics studies, and the use of this technique is allowing rapid advances in the understanding of sperm biology. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences among stallions of variable sperm quality (based on motility and sperm velocities), although all horses had sperm characteristics within normal ranges. The proteome was studied using UHPLC/MS/MS and posterior bioinformatic and enrichment analysis; data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD025807. Sperm motility, linear motility and circular, straight line and average velocities (VCL, VSL, VAP) were measured using computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA). In stallions showing better percentages of motility, circular and average velocity predominated mitochondrial proteins with roles in the Citric acid cycle, pyruvate metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Interestingly, in stallions with better percentages of total motility, sperm proteins were also enriched in proteins within the gene ontology (G0) terms, single fertilization (G0: 0007338), fertilization (G0: 0009566), and zona pellucida receptor complex (GO:0002199). The enrichment of this proteins in samples with better percentages of total motility may offer a molecular explanation for the link between this parameter and fertility. SIGNIFICANCE: Proteomic analysis identified a high degree of specificity of stallion sperm proteins with discriminant power for motility, linear motility, and sperm velocities (VCL, VAP and VSL). These findings may represent an interesting outcome in relation to the molecular biology regulating the movement of the spermatozoa, and the biological meaning of the measurements that computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) provide. Of a total of 903 proteins identified in stallion spermatozoa, 24 were related to the percentage of total motility in the sample; interestingly, gene ontology (G0) analysis revealed that these proteins were enriched in terms like single fertilization and fertilization, providing a molecular link between motility and fertility. Field studies indicate that the percentage of total motility is the CASA derived parameter with the best correlation with fertility in stallions.
Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-07-21 PubMed ID: 34298182DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104335Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study aims to understand the relationship between sperm motility and protein levels in stallions. It suggests that mitochondrial proteins concerned with energy production, and other proteins associated with fertilization, are more prevalent in stallions with superior sperm motility. The findings enhance our understanding of sperm motility and its possible molecular links to fertility.
Research Methodology and Approach
- The study was conducted on stallions with variable sperm quality, all falling within the normal range of sperm characteristics.
- Sperm motility and velocity were quantified using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).
- The concentration of proteins in the sperm was determined using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS).
- Subsequent bioinformatics and enrichment analyses were carried out to identify significant patterns.
Principal Findings
- Stallions with superior motility were found to have higher levels of mitochondrial proteins associated with energy generation, such as those involved in the Citric Acid Cycle, pyruvate metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation. This suggests that the energy requirements of sperm cell movement have a significant bearing on motility.
- The sperm of stallions with better motility was also rich in proteins involved in fertilization, as indicated by their association with gene ontology (GO) terms such as “single fertilization” and “fertilization.” The presence of these proteins sheds some light on the molecular link between sperm motility and fertility.
Significance and Conclusion
- The proteomic analysis techniques used in this study enabled the identification of specific proteins in stallion sperm with discerning power for motility and sperm velocities.
- Out of a total of 903 proteins identified in stallion sperm, 24 were directly related to the sample’s percentage of total motility. These proteins were significantly linked to terms like “single fertilization” and “fertilization” in gene ontology analysis.
- This research enhances the understanding of the molecular biology that regulates sperm movement and may offer new insights into the quantification of sperm motility and fertility.
- Such findings could be pivotal in studying fertility in stallions and potentially other species, paving the way for further research in this field.
Cite This Article
APA
Gaitskell-Phillips G, Martín-Cano FE, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Silva-Rodríguez A, da Silva-Álvarez E, Rojo-Domínguez P, Tapia JA, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Peña FJ.
(2021).
Proteins involved in mitochondrial metabolic functions and fertilization predominate in stallions with better motility.
J Proteomics, 247, 104335.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104335 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Facility of Innovation and Analysis in Animal Source Foodstuffs, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Physiology, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Department of Physiology, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain. Electronic address: fjuanpvega@unex.es.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fertilization
- Horses
- Male
- Proteomics
- Semen Preservation
- Sperm Motility
- Spermatozoa
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Gaitskell-Phillips G, Martín-Cano FE, Ortiz-Rodríguez JM, Silva-Rodríguez A, da Silva-Álvarez E, Gil MC, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Peña FJ. Dataset of the sperm proteome of stallions with different motility.. Data Brief 2022 Dec;45:108578.
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