Proteomic characterization and comparison of ram (Ovis aries) and buck (Capra hircus) spermatozoa proteome using a data independent acquisition mass spectometry (DIA-MS) approach

PLoS One. 2020 Feb 13;15(2):e0228656. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228656. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Fresh semen is most commonly used in an artificial insemination of small ruminants, because of low fertility rates of frozen sperm. Generally, when developing and applying assisted reproductive technologies, sheep and goats are classified as one species. In order to optimize sperm cryopreservation protocols in sheep and goat, differences in sperm proteomes between ram and buck are necessary to investigate, which may contribute to differences in function and fertility of spermatozoa. In the current work, a data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry proteomic approach was used to characterize and make a comparison of ram (Ovis aries) and buck (Capra hircus) sperm proteomes. A total of 2,109 proteins were identified in ram and buck spermatozoa, with 238 differentially abundant proteins. Proteins identified in ram and buck spermatozoa are mainly involved in metabolic pathways for generation of energy and diminishing oxidative stress. Specifically, there are greater abundance of spermatozoa proteins related to the immune protective and capacity activities in ram, while protein that inhibit sperm capacitation shows greater abundance in buck. Our results not only provide novel insights into the characteristics and potential activities of spermatozoa proteins, but also expand the potential direction for sperm cryopreservation in ram and buck.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Cryopreservation
  • Electron Transport Complex IV / metabolism
  • Goats
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Proteome*
  • Proteomics
  • Semen Preservation
  • Sheep
  • Sperm Capacitation
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*
  • Succinate-Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • beta-Defensins / metabolism

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Proteome
  • beta-Defensins
  • neuronal pentraxin
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Succinate-Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase
  • Electron Transport Complex IV

Grants and funding

This work was supported by National Key R&D program of China (No. 2018YFD0502001) awarded by Zijun Zhang, Key Program for Youth Science Foundation of Anhui Agricultural University (2018zd18) awarded by Wen Zhu, Introduced and Stable Program for the Talents of Anhui Agricultural University (yj2018-53) awarded by Wen Zhu, and from China Agriculture Research System (CARS-38) awarded by Zijun Zhang. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.