Seminal plasma protein concentrations vary with feed efficiency and fertility-related measures in young beef bulls.
Fertility-associated proteins (FAP) found in seminal plasma indicate sexual maturity, which appears to be influenced by feed efficiency in cattle. This study characterized FAP via proteomics and verified associations of these proteins with feed efficiency, body composition and fertility-related measures in yearling beef bulls. Assessments including testicular ultrasonography, infrared thermography, seminal quality, seminal plasma proteomics, carcass composition, and reproductive organ biometry were obtained. From a population of 31 bulls, the seven most and least feed efficient (efficient, inefficient) bulls were used for categorical comparisons. Correlations between FAP, productive performance and fertility-related measures were determined. These traits were also correlated with orthogonal factors summarized from the FAP. Efficient bulls had increased epididymal sperm-binding protein-1 and decreased concentration of protein-C inhibitor compared to inefficient bulls. Correlations between FAP with age, body size, body composition, reproductive organ biometry, scrotal temperature, and seminiferous tubule maturity are reported. Acrosin and cathepsin D increased with development of the testes and osteopontin increased with greater numbers of mature seminiferous tubules. Phosphoglycerate kinase-2 was higher in animals with a higher scrotum temperature and a higher prevalence of sperm morphology defects. The principal factor indicated that FAP variability concentrations were positively correlated with age, reproductive organ biometry, body size and composition. Our results indicate that FAP changes with body size and sexual development, and demonstrates differences in the proteomics of bulls with diverging feed efficiency. This is related to the delay in the sexual maturity of efficient young bulls.
Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada B2N 5E3. Electronic address: Yuri.R.Montanholi@gmail.com.
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Montanholi
Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, United States.
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Fontoura
Department of Health Management, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4P3.
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Diel de Amorim
Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1.
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Foster
Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario Canada N1G 2W1.
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Chenier
Invermay Agricultural Centre, AgResearch Limited, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand; Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Miller
D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D040901:Proteomics; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D029589:Seminal Plasma Proteins
Epididymal sperm-binding protein 1; Osteopontin; Residual feed intake; Sexual maturity; Testicular pixel intensity