Horse Seminal Plasma proteins (HSP-1 and HSP-2) concentration: a possible marker for poor fertility?

Abstract

Summary: Seminal plasma (SP) proteins have been assessed in relation to reproductive fertility levels or infertility, in several species of mammals, particularly domestic animals. Horse seminal plasma proteins 1 (HSP-1) and 2 (HSP-2) are the most abundant proteins in equine seminal plasma. The aim of this study was to investigate in adult stallions the concentrations of seminal plasma HSP-1/2 and total protein in the breeding season and non-breeding season and to determine if these concentrations were related with fertility. Seminal plasma was obtained from 42 ejaculates of 11 adult stallions (3 -25 yrs). Stallions were allocated into two groups (good and poor fertility) according to pregnancy rates of mares, and to their semen viability data in the first collection day. Seminal plasma HSP-1/2 concentrations (mg/mL) were measured and analyzed by an Ultra High Performance Liquid Cromatography using a UHPLC column. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in total protein and HSP1/2 concentration (mg/mL, mean ± SD) in the ejaculates from good and poor fertility stallions. The HSP1/2 concentration did not show differences in the first and second ejaculates of good fertility stallions in both the non-breeding and breeding season. Seminal plasma of stallions classified as poor fertility showed significant difference (P < 0.05) in HSP-1/2 concentration between the first and second ejaculate in both the non-breeding and breeding season. In conclusion, the concentration of the major proteins of stallion seminal plasma HSP1/2 was higher in ejaculates from stallions with poor fertility, is not influenced by the season and could serve as biomarker for poor fertility in stallions.Keywords: stallion / UHPLC / breeding season / seminal plasma / reproduction Ist die Konzentration der Sperma-Plasmaproteine HSP-1 und HSP-2 des Pferdes ein möglicher Marker für mangelhafte Fruchtbarkeit?Die Proteine des Seminalplasmas wurden im Zusammenhang mit dem Fruchtbarkeits-oder Unfruchtbarkeitslevel diverser Säugetiere, speziell der Haustiere, bewertet. Die "Horse Seminal Plasma" Proteine 1 (HSP-1) und 2 (HSP-2) sind die am meisten vorkommenden Proteine im Seminalplasma von Pferden. Ziel der Studie war es, die Konzentration des Seminalplasmas HSP-1/2 und die gesamten Proteine bei erwachsenen Hengsten, während und außerhalb der Decksaison zu untersuchen und festzustellen, ob diese Konzentrationen mit der Fruchtbarkeit zusammenhängen. Seminalplasma wurden aus 42 Ejakulaten von 11 erwachsenen Hengsten (3 -25 Jahre) gewonnen. Die Hengste wurden in zwei Gruppen aufgeteilt (hohe und niedrige Fruchtbarkeit) gemäß der Trächtigkeitsrate der Stuten und der Viabilität des Samens in der Samenentnahme des ersten Tages. Samenplasma wurde aus 42 Ejakulaten gewonnen und die Konzentration von HSP-1/2 (mg/mL) wurden mit einer Hochleistungsflüssigkeitschromatographie unter Anwendungen einer UHPLC Trennsäule gemessen und analysiert. Es wurden signifikante Unterschiede (P < 0.05) in der Konzentration der gesamten und der HSP1/2 Proteine (mg/mL, Durchschnit...

Kallikrein proteoforms and reproductive parameters in stallion are conditioned by climate

“…The HSP-1 and HSP-2, members of the Binder of Sperm Proteins (BSP) 25 , comprise 70%–80% of the protein concentration in the seminal plasma 16 , making up the most abundant group. Despite the large number of HSP-1 and HSP-2 spots detected, similar to that reported by Garcia et al 27 , there were no differences ( p > 0.05) detected in their relative abundances over the seasons, although the analysis of the number of copies in the reference genome indicated a unique access code representing HSPs. These results point to the importance of studying HSP proteoforms in equine seminal plasma to determine their participation in breeding events.…”