Proteomic analysis of the reproductive tract fluids from tropically-adapted Santa Ines rams.
The present study is focused on the proteome of reproductive tract fluids from tropically-adapted Santa Ines rams. Seminal plasma, cauda epididymal (CEF) and vesicular gland fluid (VGF) proteins were analyzed by 2-D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Seminal plasma maps contained 302 ± 16 spots, within the 4-7 pH range. From these maps, 73 spots were identified, corresponding to 41 proteins. Ram Seminal Vesicle Proteins (RSVP) 14 and 22kDa and bodhesins 1 and 2 represented the most abundant seminal components. Other seminal proteins included clusterin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase, albumin, lactoferrin, alpha enolase, peroxiredoxin, leucine aminopeptidase, β-galactosidase, among others. Later, seminal plasma gels were run within narrow pH intervals (3.9-5.1; 4.7-5.9; 5.5-6.7), allowing the additional identification of 21 proteins not detected in 4-7 pH maps. Major proteins of CEF and VGF were albumin and transferrin, and RSVPs, respectively. Western blots confirmed that RSVPs were mainly present in VGF while bodhesins, in VGF and CEF. Based on RT-PCR, RSVP and bodhesin genes were primarily expressed in the vesicular glands. In summary, the reproductive tract fluids of Brazilian hairy rams contain several categories of proteins, with potential roles in sperm protection, capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm-oocyte interaction.
Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil.
Carlos Eduardo A
CE
Souza
João Paulo A
JP
Rego
Carlos H
CH
Lobo
José Tadeu A
JT
Oliveira
Fábio C S
FC
Nogueira
Gilberto B
GB
Domont
Mariana
M
Fioramonte
Fabio C
FC
Gozzo
Frederico B
FB
Moreno
Ana Cristina O
AC
Monteiro-Moreira
José Ricardo
JR
Figueiredo
Arlindo A
AA
Moura
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis*; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014329:Tropical Climate
D020543:Proteome