Serum kisspeptin: New possible biomarker for sexual behaviour and sperm concentration in buffalo bulls

Abstract

The study was designed to decipher the inter‐relationship between peripheral hormones (kisspeptin and testosterone), sexual behaviour and seminal variables of Murrah buffalo bulls (n = 134). In this study, we recorded that 13%, 37%, 40%, 6% and 4% Murrah buffalo bulls had reaction time of <30, 31–60, 61–180, 181–300 and >300 s, respectively. Further, it was observed that 4%, 85% and 10% buffalo bulls were sexually aggressive, active and dull, respectively, during semen collection. The courtship behaviour was not found to be desirable for the bulls used for the semen collection. Mean of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and mass motility (0–5 scale) were 3.57 ml, 977.11 million/ml, 2.7, respectively. Correlation studies revealed that the reaction time was positively correlated with courtship behaviour and body weight, and negatively correlated with sexual aggressiveness and sperm concentration. Serum kisspeptin in buffalo bulls, measured for the first time, was found to 3.8 ± 0.7 ng/ml. Serum kisspeptin and testosterone level are negatively correlated to each other and kisspeptin level influenced the sexual behaviour (reaction time, sexual aggressiveness and penile erection) of study bulls. Serum kisspeptin was higher in the buffalo bulls with higher sperm concentration indicating its role in spermatogenesis. In conclusion, for the first time basic information related to sexual behaviour of Murrah buffalo bulls in large population along with its inter‐relationship with peripheral hormones (kisspeptin and testosterone) has been documented.

The Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B

“…Moreover, on approach to the female, males displaying characteristic aggressive behaviors (ie, uncontrollable, and extremely eager to mount and approach with full vigor) had significantly higher KP levels, compared to dull males (ie, proceeding with a dull expression and longer time to mount). In keeping with earlier rodent evidence ( 273 , 276 ), males with lower KP levels also exhibited incomplete penile erection and protrusion ( 279 ). Hence, these findings suggest that circulating KP levels may offer a novel biomarker for sexual behavior in male domestic animals.…”

“…Moving from rodents to male domestic animals, recent data provide evidence for the relationship between circulating KP levels and sexual behavior in buffalo bulls ( 279 ). In this study, it was observed that KP levels were significantly lower in bulls with longer reaction times (ie, time from exposure to mounting the female).…”

Multi-OMICS and Molecular Biology Perspective in Buffalo Genome

“…They also found that 4, 85, and 10% of buffalo bulls were active, sexually aggressive, and dull, respectively, during semen collection. Serum kisspeptin and testosterone possess negative effects on reaction time, sexual aggressiveness, penile erection, and positive effect in spermatogenesis [19]. In another study, the relationship of blood metabolic changes and average daily gain with feed conversion efficiency were assessed in Murrah Heifers (Murrah buffalo) through a machine learning approach [20].…”

Kisspeptin‐10 in cryodiluent improves the post‐thaw quality of Nili‐Ravi buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) bull spermatozoa

“…Interestingly, buffalo spermatozoa also possess GPR54 receptors on head, neck and mid‐piece (Hussain et al, 2020) thus supporting that kisspeptin‐10 may reliably be tested during sperm cryopreservation. Moreover, serum kisspeptin‐10 has also been reported to act as a biomarker for better reproductive performance in buffalo bulls (Bhardwaj et al, 2020). Therefore, we hypothesized that in‐vitro supplementation of kisspeptin‐10 in cryodiluent may improve the post‐thaw buffalo sperm structure and function by strengthening its existing antioxidant system.…”