title: Proteome of the rete testis fluid from tropically-adapted Morada Nova rams.
abstract: The rete testis has a close relationship with sperm development and may have other functions besides serving as an intercalated channel. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the proteins of rete testis fluid (RTF) from tropically-adapted Morada Nova rams. Testicles obtained from six Morada Nova rams were dissected and the head of the epididymis was separated to access the efferent ducts. Rete testis fluid was obtained by gentle massage of the testis. The fluid was centrifuged to remove cell debris and sperm. RTF samples (containing 400μg protein) were separated by 2-D SDS-PAGE and gels, analyzed using PDQuest software (Bio Rad, USA). Proteins were identified using tandem mass spectrometry. Gene ontology and protein network were analyzed using the software tool for searching annotations of proteins (STRAP) and STRING database. Gels had, on average, 227±13.5 spots and 51% of the proteins were found above 40kDa, corresponding to 65% of the intensity of all spots detected. Based on gene ontology analysis, the most common biological processes associated with RTF proteins were regulation (24.3%) and cellular process (23.3%). Binding (27.3%) and catalytic activity (19.3%) corresponded to the most frequent molecular functions. Albumin, clusterin, serotransferrin, immunoglobulin gamma-1 chain and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein were the most abundant proteins in the ram rete testis fluid. In conclusion, proteins identified in the ram rete testis fluid are linked to several physiological processes associated with sperm protection and spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauricio Fraga
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: van Tilburg
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Solange Damasceno
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Révila Bianca
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Ferreira de Melo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Frederico B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Monteiro-Moreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Electronic address: arlindo.moura@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Arlindo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Alencar Moura
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D020543:Proteome / Q000502:physiology*; D012152:Rete Testis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D020543:Proteome
keywords: 2-D electrophoresis; Proteome; Rete testis; ram