Proteomic analysis of spermatozoa reveals caseins play a pivotal role in preventing short-term periods of subfertility in stallions†.
Abstract: Stallions experience transient fluctuations in fertility throughout the breeding season. Considering pregnancy diagnoses cannot be ascertained until ~14 days postbreeding, the timely detection of decreases in stallion fertility would enhance industry economic and welfare outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the proteomic signatures reflective of short-term fertility fluctuations and to determine the biological mechanisms governing such differences. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we compared the proteomic profile of semen samples collected from commercially "fertile" stallions, during high- and low-fertility periods. A total of 1702 proteins were identified, of which, 38 showed a significant change in abundance (P ≤ 0.05). Assessment of intra- and interstallion variability revealed that caseins (namely κ-, α-S1-, and α-S2-casein) were significantly more abundant during "high-fertility" periods, while several epididymal, and seminal plasma proteins (chiefly, epididymal sperm binding protein 1 [ELSPbP1], horse seminal plasma protein 1 [HSP-1], and clusterin), were significantly more abundant during "low-fertility" periods. We hypothesized that an increased abundance of caseins offers greater protection from potentially harmful seminal plasma proteins, thereby preserving cell functionality and fertility. In vitro exposure of spermatozoa to casein resulted in decreased levels of lipid scrambling (Merocyanine 540), higher abundance of sperm-bound caseins (α-S1-, α-S2-, and κ-casein), and lower abundance of sperm-bound HSP-1 (P ≤ 0.05). This study demonstrates key pathways governing short-term fertility fluctuations in the stallion, thereby providing a platform to develop robust, fertility assessment strategies into the future.
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for the Study of Reproduction. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Publication Date: 2022-01-14 PubMed ID: 35024820DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab225Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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.
The research article discusses a study that found a connection between certain proteins, specifically caseins, found in stallion spermatozoa and varying fertility levels during the breeding season, suggesting that these proteins play a significant role in maintaining short-term fertility.
Study Purpose and Design
The research aims to understand better the fluctuations in fertility that stallions experience during different periods within the breeding season. The researchers focused on identifying proteomic changes corresponding to fertility fluctuations and understanding the biological mechanisms underlying them. Because fertility diagnosis in stallions can only be confirmed about 14 days after breeding, identifying markers of fertility changes could prove beneficial for industry outcomes.
Methodology
- The researchers used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to compare the proteomic profile of semen samples taken from commercially “fertile” stallions during high- and low-fertility periods.
- They identified a total of 1702 proteins, out of which 38 had a significant change in abundance related to fertility fluctuations.
Findings
- Intra- and interstallion variability assessments revealed that caseins (specifically κ-, α-S1-, and α-S2-casein) were significantly more abundant during periods of high fertility.
- Conversely, they found that several epididymal and seminal plasma proteins like epididymal sperm binding protein 1, horse seminal plasma protein 1, and clusterin were significantly more abundant during periods of low fertility.
- The researchers theorized that increased levels of caseins provide protection from potentially harmful seminal plasma proteins, preserving sperm cell functionality and fertility.
- To validate their theory, they exposed spermatozoa to casein in a laboratory setting, which resulted in decreased levels of lipid scrambling, a higher abundance of sperm-bound caseins, and a lower abundance of sperm-bound horse seminal plasma protein 1.
Impacts and Applications
This study has established correlations between the abundance of certain proteins in stallion sperm and fertility levels. These insights could pave the way to more effective fertility assessment strategies for horses by enabling timely detection of fertility changes. This increased efficiency has the potential to contribute positively to the economic viability and welfare outcomes of the horse breeding industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Griffin RA, Swegen A, Baker MA, Ogle RA, Smith N, Aitken RJ, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Fair S, Gibb Z.
(2022).
Proteomic analysis of spermatozoa reveals caseins play a pivotal role in preventing short-term periods of subfertility in stallions†.
Biol Reprod, 106(4), 741-755.
https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioab225 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Analytical and Biomedical Research Facility, Research Division, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Caseins / metabolism
- Chromatography, Liquid
- Female
- Horses
- Infertility / metabolism
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Proteomics
- Seminal Plasma Proteins / metabolism
- Spermatozoa / metabolism
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Iskandar H, Andersson G, Sonjaya H, Arifiantini RI, Said S, Hasbi H, Maulana T, Baharun A. Protein Identification of Seminal Plasma in Bali Bull (Bos javanicus).. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 1;13(3).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
