Efeito da sazonalidade no perfil de proteínas de espermatozóides de caprinos da raça Moxotó

Abstract

Proteomic studies of sperm cells may be contribute in the biological reproduction potential by mapping biomarkers of fertility. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of seasonality in the protein profile of sperm Moxotó breed goats, in order to identify markers of fertility. We used six animals in reproductive age (24-36 months) for the collection of semen in artificial vagina, which was carried out weekly during the dry and rainy seasons. After collection, semen was submitted to evaluation of sperm parameters (motility, vigor, concentration and testis volume). The profile of sperm proteins was obtained using the two-dimensional electrophoresis technique . Analysis of seminal parameters showed no significant differences between periods. We detected 330 and 246 spots for 2D gels representing the rainy and dry seasons. The distribution of spots through isoelectric point in the two study periods are concentrated in the pH range 5-6, both in the dry season (PS) and in the rainy season (PC) this region contains about 50% of the total protein . Regarding the molecular weight of 20-40 kDa proteins showed greater frequency over the years. It was observed the presence of 56 spots similar and constant expression in six animals. The qualitative and quantitative differences were observed between the season, highlighting the 349 spot that was present only in the PC, while the 566 and 1115 spots were differentially expressed in the dry season. Individual differences have been identified yet and it seems is correlated with sperm parameters evaluated. In general there was greater expression of proteins in the PS. In conclusion, the results show the influence of seasonality on the expression of some proteins, which may be strong candidates for biomarkers of fertility and may be related to some characteristics such as sperm maturation, capacitation, acrosome reaction and interaction between the gametes.