Proteomic profile of seminal plasma from Pêga donkeys (Equus asinus) with high sperm motility and vigor: Implications for assisted reproduction

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part D, Genomics & proteomics Genomics & proteomics, 2024-12, Vol.52, p.101264, Article 101264
• Main Authors: Costa, Isabella Cristina Tolêdo Alves, Ramírez-López, Camilo José, de Sousa, Wassali Valadares, da Silva, Yara Martins, Villadiego, Faider Alberto Castaño, Nogueira, Fábio César Sousa, Guimarães, Simone Eliza Facione, Guimarães, José Domingos, Baracat-Pereira, Maria Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Breeding; Cryopreservation; Equidae - physiology; LC-MS/MS proteomics; Male; Proteins; Proteome - analysis; Proteomics; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted - veterinary; Semen - metabolism; Seminal plasma; Seminal Plasma Proteins - analysis; Seminal Plasma Proteins - metabolism; Sperm Motility
• ISSN: 1744-117X; 1878-0407; 1878-0407
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2024.101264

Donkeys of the Pêga breed (Equus asinus) have been used for two centuries to produce breeding stock and create hybrids for labor and transport in southeast Brazil, and for exporting meat and milk to other countries. Furthermore, they are used in competitions, as they are docile and easy to handle. However, assisted reproduction success rates for frozen donkey semen are remarkably low, with no standardized method for cryopreserving sperm after removal of seminal plasma. This work aims to reveal the biological involvement of seminal plasma proteins from Pêga donkeys in aiding the development of assisted reproduction. This study was carried out with 14 ejaculates collected every eight days, throughout the breeding season, from three healthy fertile Pêga donkeys, with an average age of four years. After confirming the high freezability of fresh semen by evaluating quality parameters, the seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation and an aliquot from each collection was microfiltered and frozen. A label-free technique followed by LC-MS/MS analysis applied to pools of seminal plasma samples from each animal revealed 522 proteins in the proteomic profile, of which 49.8 % (260 proteins) are related to cellular energy transformation, and many proteins involved in reproduction (76), spermatogenesis (38), fertilization (29), among other biological process. By comparison with literature, Pêga donkeys share many proteins with donkeys of Dezhou breed that present great potential as fertility biomarkers. Our results showed proteins positively related to fertilization for different breeds of donkeys around the world, helping to enhance the assisted reproduction of Pêga donkeys. [Display omitted] •Provide the proteomic profile of seminal plasma of Pêga breed donkeys•Indicate the role of metabolic pathways in the reproduction•Pêga breed donkeys share potential biomarker proteins with Dezhou breed donkeys.•Similarity between donkey seminal plasma proteins and pathways of neurodegeneration.