Sperm and seminal plasma proteomics of high- versus low-fertility Holstein bulls

Abstract Sperm are highly specialized compartmentalized cells, with unique compositional, morphological and functional properties, including a plasma membrane that undergoes dynamic protein remodeling and surface modifications. Seminal plasma is a highly complex biological fluid containing proteins, amino acids, enzymes, fructose and other carbohydrates, lipids, major minerals and trace elements. Seminal plasma proteins are involved in regulation of osmotic pressure and pH of seminal plasma, transport of ions, lipid and hormones. The objective was to compare sperm and seminal plasma proteomes of bulls with differing fertility and to relate differences to biological processes. Semen was collected from bulls with high or low fertility (4 bulls in each category). Sperm and seminal plasma proteins were isolated, purified, subjected to 2-D gel electrophoresis, protein identification and ontology. In sperm and seminal plasma, binder of sperm proteins (BSP)-1, −3 and −5, and spermadhesin-1, ALB, TIMP, AKI and PEBP1 were higher for high-versus low-fertility bulls (P