Ready for the journey: a comparative proteome profiling of porcine cauda epididymal fluid and spermatozoa.

In the present study, we describe the proteome of porcine cauda epididymis fluid and spermatozoa by means of Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT). Ten sexually mature healthy boars were surgically castrated and epididymides were dissected to obtain the cauda epididymal content. Polled protein extracts of cauda epididymal fluid (CEF) and spermatozoa (CESperm) were loaded in an Agilent 1100 quaternary HPLC and peptides eluted from the microcapillary column were electro-sprayed directly into a LTQ Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer. Using bioinformatics, identified proteins were classified by their molecular functions, involvement in biological processes and participation in relevant metabolic pathways associated with spermatozoa physiology, fertility potential and protection. A total of 645 proteins were identified in the CEF, with epididymal-specific lipocalin-5, beta-hexosaminidase subunit beta precursor and phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 being the most abundant proteins found. A total of 2886 proteins were identified in the CESperm proteome with 81 proteins being considered more abundant (spectral counts > 100). CEF and CESperm data were compared and 345 proteins were present in both proteomes. Phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 precursor was the only protein found most abundant in both CEF and CESperm proteomes. Based on Gene Ontology analysis, we identified CEF and CESperm proteins associated with sperm protection against ROS and immune mediated response, glycosaminoglycan degradation, ubiquitin-proteasome system, metabolic process and maturation, modulation of acrosome reaction and ZP binding and oocyte penetration. These results provide a better comprehension about the molecular process and biological pathways involved in sperm epididymis maturation and establishment of the cauda epididymis sperm reservoir.

Dynamics of vanishing of maternally derived antibodies of Ungulate protoparvovirus 1 suggests an optimal age for gilts vaccination.

The prevention of Ungulate protoparvovirus 1 (UPV1) infection and consequently the reproductive losses is based on vaccination of all pigs intended for breeding. As maternally derived antibodies (MDA) can interfere with the development of immunity following vaccination, it is important to know the duration of anti-UPV1 MDA to determine the optimal age for the best vaccination efficacy. To elucidate the association between dam and piglet antibody levels against UPV1 and to estimate the decrease rate of MDA, sera and colostrum of 127 gilts (before the first vaccination against UPV1; 15 days after the second vaccine dose; at farrowing; and during the second pregnancy) and sera of 276 piglets (prior to initial colostrum intake; at 7, 21, 57, 87, and 128 days-old) were tested by ELISA. Most gilts (85.8%) had anti-UPV1 antibodies before vaccination and after vaccination all were positive. At 7 days old, the majority of the piglets had anti-UPV1 antibodies, but around 57 days old, only 35.3% were positive and at 87 days old, all were negative. The estimated average half-life of MDA was 29.8 (28.8-30.9) days. A strong correlation was determined between piglet serum at 7 days old with gilt serum at farrowing time (r = 0.77, n = 248, P < 0.001) and with piglet serum at 7 days old with colostrum (r = 0.73, n = 248, P < 0.001). The MDA decreased earlier and the antibody half-life was a little longer than previously reported. Based on these findings, UPV1 vaccination can be performed earlier than usual.