Browsing by Subject "Reproduction"

Now showing 1 - 17 of 17
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    Broadening the educational pipeline: the global landscape of master of science programs in reproductive science and medicine
    (Oxford University Press, 2022-05-25) Ataman-Millhouse, Lauren M.; Monahan, Pamela; Willingham, Rebecca; Vigone, Giulia; Soulakis, Mao; Gadea, Joaquín; Raquel, Romar; Cánovas, Sebastián; Woodruff, Teresa K.; Duncan, Francesca E.; Jíménez Movilla, María; Fisiología
    Reproductive health underpins overall health, and thus, research in reproductive science and medicine is essential. This requires a pipeline of trained scientists and clinicians, which is challenging given the relatively small size of the field. Educational programs outside the traditional doctorate or medical degrees are needed to generate and maintain a well-trained reproductive science and medicine workforce. Master’s programs have gained traction as a viable way for students to receive educational value relative to their career goals. Our hypothesis is master’s degree programs in the fundamental, applied, and allied health reproductive fields broadens the workforce and increases impact. An internet web search identified 73 programs that conferred an MS degree in the areas of animal science, clinical/embryology, and reproductive health/biology. These programs are spread across the globe in Europe (47%), North America (23%), Asia (14%), South America (7%), Oceania (5%), and Africa (4%). To evaluate global exemplars, we profiled the mission and structure, curriculum, and program impact of two established master’s degree programs: the Master of Science in Reproductive Science and Medicine at Northwestern University in the United States and the Biology and Technology of Reproduction in Mammals at the University of Murcia in Spain. Elements of infrastructure and support, program connectivity, and alumni networks were analyzed for their role in the success of the programs. These two programs have formally trained >375 individuals, demonstrating master’s degree programs in reproductive science are an important educational mechanism. The educational best practices shared here serve as templates for expanding training programs worldwide. Summary Sentence MS programs in reproductive science are a critical and growing training pipeline in our field as evidenced by a survey of global programs as well as benchmarking studies of the Master of Science in Reproductive Science and Medicine program (MS-RSM) at Northwestern University in the United States and the Biology and Technology of Reproduction in Mammals at the University of Murcia in Spain.
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    Contribución al conocimiento de la biología del alga parda alimentaria Himanthalia elongata (Fucales, Phaeophyta) en las costas de Galicia
    (Murcia: Universidad de Murcia, Servicio de Publicaciones, 2004) Lagos, Verónica; Cremades, Javier; Sin departamento asociado; Facultad de Biología
    Himanthalia elongata es un alga parda bienal y dioica muy frecuente en las costas gallegas, donde se usa tradicionalmente como abono y, más recientemente, como alga alimentaria debido a sus notables ca- racterísticas organolépticas y nutricionales. Dado el creciente grado de explotación de las poblaciones naturales, necesariamente tendrán que establecerse criterios para su explotación sostenible en función de su biología, hasta ahora poco conocida, en nuestras costas. En el presente trabajo se exponen los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento en los estudios realizados sobre el crecimiento, reproducción y reclu- tamiento de esta especie en la localidad de Barizo (Malpica, La Coru- ña) y se indican las principales pautas a seguir para una explotación sostenible de este recurso.
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    Diversity and dynamics of fish ovaries: Insights into reproductive strategies, hormonal regulation, and ovarian development
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2025) Mokhtar, Doaa M.
    Fish ovaries exhibit a remarkable diversity in shape, size, and organization, reflecting the myriad reproductive strategies employed by different species. This review delves into the intricate biology of fish ovaries, highlighting their structural diversity and the hormonal regulation that governs ovarian development and oocyte maturation. Key hormones include pituitary gonadotropins (GTHs) and maturation-inducing hormones (MIHs), which initiate oocyte growth and maturation. GTHs stimulate ovarian production of estradiol-17β and 17α,20β-DP, which induce oocyte maturation via MPF formation. Sex steroids like estrogens and progestogens, synthesized from cholesterol, play crucial roles. Other hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid hormones, IGFs, ACTH, and melatonin, influence ovarian activity. The review also explores the varied reproductive strategies among fish, including oviparity and viviparity, and discusses how environmental factors like water temperature and photoperiod influence ovarian histology. Understanding the complex interplay between these factors is essential for advancing fisheries management, conservation, and aquaculture practices. Additionally, the evolutionary trajectory of fish ovaries underscores their adaptation to diverse ecological niches, contributing to the survival and reproductive success of fish species. The ovarian stroma provides structural support and houses various cell types, including dendritic cells (DCs), endocrine cells, and telocytes, contributing to follicle growth and hormone production, essential for reproductive success in fish. Fish ovaries are a crucial aspect of fish biology, with their structure and function intricately regulated by hormonal, environmental, and seasonal factors.
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    Editorial: molecular biomarkers in animal reproduction
    (Frontiers Media, 2021-12-01) Martínez, Cristina Alicia; Roca, Jordi; Barranco, Isabel; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Improving the reproductive efficiency of livestock species remains challenging the scientific community. Emerging 'omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, are helping to overcome this challenge (1, 2). These high-throughput technologies make it possible to identify the set of molecules and regulatory networks which are directly or indirectly involved in reproductive processes, and to recognize molecules that play a key role in major reproductive events (3). In this context, one of the purposes of this special issue was to highlight the increasing applicability of 'omics to identify key molecules involved in modulating main reproductive events of animal species of economic interest. Seven out of nine research papers included in this special issue used 'omics-tools, five of them using transcriptomics and the other two using metabolomics and proteomics.
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    Escenarios hipotéticos sobre la reproducción humana en el arte especulativo
    (Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2025) Gas Barrachina, Silvia; Sin departamento asociado
    La dimensión comunicativa en la práctica artística, la cual posibilita un espacio de diálogo que activa procesos de interpretación, reflexión y participación social, encuentra en el arte especulativo un contexto idóneo, puesto que, a través de narrativas ficticias, prototipos y simulaciones vinculadas a la tecnología, alienta al público a confrontar lo improbable, despertando su capacidad crítica frente a la realidad. En un contexto marcado por los avances científicos y tecnológicos, la reproducción humana deviene en un área de investigación para el arte especulativo. Por ello, el propósito de este trabajo consiste en analizar obras de mujeres artistas enmarcadas dentro del ámbito especulativo que abordan la reproducción humana. El resultado principal revela unas narrativas compartidas que se refieren a la modificación genética, la mecanización del proceso de gestación mediante úteros artificiales, la crianza compartida y la hibridación entre lo humano, animal y la naturaleza. Desde la experiencia de las mujeres, estas obras invitan a reflexionar acerca del futuro, desafiando conceptos tradicionales sobre el género, la identidad, la maternidad, la familia y las relaciones entre lo natural y lo artificial. Plantean nuevos escenarios dominados por la modificación, la intervención y el control, que invitan al público a cuestionar las implicaciones éticas, sociales, económicas y políticas de la intervención científico-tecnológica en la reproducción humana
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    Extracellular vesicles isolated from porcine seminal plasma exhibit different tetraspanin expression profiles
    (2019-08-09) Barranco, Isabel; Padilla, Lorena; Parrilla, Inmaculada; Alvarez-Barrientos, Alberto; Pérez-Patiño, Cristina; Peña, Fernando; Martínez, Emilio A; Rodriguez-Martínez, Heriberto; Roca, Jordi; Roca, Jordi; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Seminal extracellular vesicles (EVs) include exosomes (ø 40-120 nm) and microvesicles (MVs, ø 120-1000 nm), which would be involved in multiple functional reproductive roles. The study aimed to establish which EV subtypes are present in pig semen, using a high-resolution flow cytometer to explore differences in their tetraspanin expression profile. The EVs were isolated from 12 pig ejaculates using serial ultracentrifugation and characterized by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy for size and morphology as well as for tetraspanin expression using flow cytometry with Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and antibodies against CD9, CD63 and CD81. Pig semen contained a heterogeneous EV-population regarding size and morphology. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the proportion of EVs expressing CD63 and CD9 was higher in MVs (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) than in exosomes, while the opposite was true for CD81; higher (P < 0.001) in exosomes than in MVs. In conclusion, (1) the new generation of flow cytometers are able to accurately identify EVs and to gate them in two size-different populations named exosomes and MVs. (2) Tetraspanins CD9, CD63 and CD81 are present in both seminal EVs, albeit with exosomes and MVs differing in expression profiles, suggesting dissimilar cargo and binding affinity.
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    High total antioxidant capacity of the porcine seminal plasma (SP-TAC) relates to sperm survival and fertility
    (2015-12-21) Barranco, Isabel; Tvarijonaviciute, Asta; Perez-Patiño, Cristina; Parrilla, Inmaculada; Cerón, Jose J; Martínez, Emilio A; Rodriguez-Martinez, Heriberto; Roca, Jordi; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    The study attempted to clarify the role of total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma (SP-TAC) on boar sperm survival and fertility after artificial insemination (AI). SP-TAC differed (P < 0.001) among boars (n° = 15) and, to a lesser degree, among ejaculates within male (4 ejaculates/boar). SP-TAC also differed (P < 0.001) among ejaculate fractions (43 ejaculates and 3 fractions per ejaculate), of which the sperm-peak portion of the sperm rich ejaculate fraction (SRF) had the highest SP-TAC. SP-TAC was not correlated with sperm quality (motility and viability) or functionality (intracellular ROS generation and lipid peroxidation) of liquid AI-semen samples stored at 17 °C for 72 h (90 AI-samples), but the decline in sperm quality was larger (P < 0.05) in ejaculates with low, compared with high SP-TAC (hierarchically grouped). The SP-TAC differences among ejaculate portions agree with sperm cryosurvival rates (14 ejaculates from 7 boars), showing sperm from sperm-peak portion better (P < 0.01) post-thaw quality and functionality than those from the entire ejaculate (mainly post-SRF). Boars (n° = 18) with high SP-TAC (hierarchically grouped) had higher (P < 0.05) fertility outcomes (5,546 AI-sows) than those with low SP-TAC. Measurement of SP-TAC ought to be a discriminative tool to prognosis fertility in breeding boars.
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    Histopathological evaluation of infertility: Lessons from laboratory rodents
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2024) Ricken, Albert Markus; Hamed, Moses Agbomhere; Akhigbe, Roland Eghoghosoa
    Infertility is a growing challenge globally with emerging risk factors. There are effective laboratory tests to evaluate infertility in humans, nevertheless, some measures, especially histo-pathological evaluations, are invasive due to the pain inflicted when accessing the reproductive organs and obtaining samples; hence, their relevance may be limited in humans. However, these histopathological evaluations provide essential information on the etiopathogenesis of infertility and the likely mechanisms of action of potential therapeutic candidates. Also, non-invasive methods are available, such as the assay of testosterone in the blood and semen analysis, both of which are predictors of testicular functions. This review provides detailed information on the available histopathological investigations of infertility, such as qualitative and quantitative histopathological assessments of gonadal tissues, specific cell counts, and sperm morphology characterization, with a focus on the procedures, interpretation, and pathophysiological basis. Data from the literature revealed that histopathological examinations of the reproductive organs, as well as spermatozoa, are useful in understanding the pathogenesis of incident infertility. Histopathological evaluation may range from basic hematoxylin and eosin stains to some special stains. Also, histopathological findings (such as spermatogenic cells and planimetric variables, like seminiferous tubule diameter and theca cell and corpus luteum thickness) may be quantified and analyzed for comparison. Some skill is required for these investigations, which may be a limiting factor; however, they are important tools in translational medicine.
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    Immunoexpression of gelatinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the seminal vesicles and ventral prostate of Libyan jird (Meriones libycus) during the seasonal cycle of reproduction
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2010) Belhocine, M.; Gernigon-Spychalowicz, T.; Jacob, M.P.; Benazzoug, Y.; Exbrayat, Jean Marie
    An immunohistochemical study of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) or gelatinase (gelatinase A and gelatinase B) was performed on the seminal vesicles and ventral prostate of the Libyan jird (Meriones libycus) collected in the Beni-Abbes area during breeding period (spring and early summer), during resting phase (late summer, autumn, winter) and from castrated animals in the spring. The work was done using the indirect immunohistochemistry protocol by amplification with streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase and AEC as chromogen. In the seminal vesicles, during the breeding period, an important immunohistochemical signal of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was observed in epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMC) without any immunoexpression in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and secretion. During resting phase and in thirty days castrated Meriones libycus, the MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunoexpression was weak in the epithelial cells and persisted with the same intensity in the SMC. The ECM, with no immunostaining in active season, showed a pronounced immunoresponse of both the two gelatinase. Three days after castration, the MMP-9 immunohistochemical reaction in epithelial cells and SMC was as intense as during active season. A prolonged castration of 50 and 90 days resulted in the maintenance of the MMP-9 immunostaining in epithelial cells and SMC and its disappearance from the ECM, suggesting a slow process of regression. During the breeding period, in the ventral prostate, MMP-2 immunostaining was more important in the SMC than in epithelial cells. The MMP-9 immunoexpression pattern was the opposite, the epithelial cells showed a higher immunoreaction than SMC. ECM and secretion lacked MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunostaining. The ventral prostate lumen contained a granular secretion without any gelatinase immunolabelling and was hollowed by empty circular forms reflecting the disappearance of the product in these areas. Part of the secretion showed a positive MMP-2 and MMP-9 immunoreaction. The latter was subsequently filled and seemed involved in the progression of the secretion in the tubules, preventing their filling. In resting phase and in animals castrated since thirty days, the immunoreactivity of both the two gelatinases was maintained in the epithelial cells and in the SMC, and was absent in the ECM. The gelatinases are involved in the seasonal reproductive cycle of Meriones libycus
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    Immunophenotype profile by flow cytometry reveals different subtypes of extracellular vesicles in porcine seminal plasma
    (2024-01-23) Barranco, Isabel; Alvarez-Barrientos, Alberto; Parra, Ana; Martinez-Diaz, Pablo; Lucas, Xiomara; Roca, Jordi; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Background: Porcine seminal plasma (SP) is endowed with a heterogeneous population of extracellular vesicles (sEVs). This study evaluated the immunophenotypic profile by high-sensitivity flow cytometry of eight sEV subpopulations isolated according to their size (small [S-sEVs] and large [L-sEVs]) from four different SP sources, namely three ejaculate fractions (the first 10 mL of the sperm rich fraction [SRF-P1], the remaining SRF [SRF-P2], and the post-SRF [PSRF]) and entire ejaculate (EE). Methods: Seminal EVs were isolated using a size exclusion chromatography-based protocol from six SP pools (five ejaculates/pool) of each SP source and characterized using complementary approaches including total protein (BCA™assay), particle size distribution (dynamic light scattering), morphology (transmission electron microscopy), and purity (albumin by Western blot). Expression of CD9, CD63, CD81, CD44 and HSP90β was analyzed in all sEV subpopulations by high-sensitivity flow cytometry according to MIFlowCyt-EV guidelines, including an accurate calibration, controls, and discrimination by CFSE-labelling. Results: Each sEV subpopulation exhibited a specific immunophenotypic profile. The percentage of sEVs positive for CD9, CD63, CD81 and HSP90β differed between S- and L-sEVs (P < 0.0001). Specifically, the percentage of sEVs positive for CD9 and CD63 was higher and that for CD81 was lower in S- than L-sEVs in the four SP sources. However, the percentage of HSP90β-positive sEVs was lower in S-sEVs than L-sEVs in the SRF-P1 and EE samples. The percentage of sEVs positive for CD9, CD63, and CD44 also differed among the four SP sources (P < 0.0001), being highest in PSRF samples. Notably, virtually all sEV subpopulations expressed CD44 (range: 88.04-98.50%). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the utility of high-sensitivity flow cytometry for sEV immunophenotyping, allowing the identification of distinct sEV subpopulations that may have different cellular origin, cargo, functions, and target cells.
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    Metabolite Profiling of Pig Seminal Plasma Identifies Potential Biomarkers for Sperm Resilience to Liquid Preservation
    (Frontiers Media, 2021-05-28) Mateo-Otero, Yentel; Fernández-López, Pol; Ribas-Maynou, Jordi; Roca, Jordi; Miró, Jordi; Yeste, Marc; Barranco, Isabel; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Metabolomic approaches allow the study of downstream gene expression events since metabolites are considered as the products of cell signaling pathways. For this reason, many studies in humans have already been conducted to determine the influence of the metabolites present in seminal plasma (SP) on sperm physiology, and to identify putative biomarkers. However, in livestock species, these relationships are yet to be uncovered. Thus, the present study aimed to explore: (i) if concentrations of metabolites in pig SP are related to sperm quality and functionality, and (ii) if they could predict the sperm resilience to liquid storage at 17°C. To this end, 28 ejaculates were individually collected and split into three aliquots: one was used for SP analysis through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; another served for the evaluation of sperm concentration and morphology; and the last one was utilized to determine sperm functionality parameters using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry after 0 h and 72 h of liquid-storage at 17°C. NMR analysis allowed the identification and quantification of 23 metabolites present in pig SP which, except for fumarate, were not observed to follow a breed-dependent behavior. Moreover, specific relationships between metabolites and sperm variables were identified: (i) glutamate, methanol, trimethylamine N-oxide, carnitine, and isoleucine were seen to be related to some sperm quality and functionality parameters evaluated immediately after semen collection; (ii) leucine, hypotaurine, carnitine and isoleucine were found to be associated to the sperm ability to withstand liquid storage; and (iii) Bayesian multiple regression models allowed the identification of metabolite patterns for specific sperm parameters at both 0 h and 72 h. The identification of these relationships opens up the possibility of further investigating these metabolites as potential sperm functional biomarkers.
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    Population genomics of a reindeer lichen species from North American lichen woodlands
    (Wiley, 2021-01-29) Grewe, Felix; Payette, Serge; Villarreal A., Juan Carlos; Alonso García, Marta; Biología Vegetal
    PREMISE: Lichens are one of the main structural components of plant communities in the North American boreal biome. They play a pivotal role in lichen woodlands, a large ecosystem situated north of the closed-crown forest zone, and south of the forest–tundra zone. In Eastern Canada (Quebec), there is a remnant LW found 500 km south of its usual distribution range, in the Parc National des Grands-Jardins, originated mainly because of wildfires. We inferred the origin of the lichen Cladonia stellaris from this LW and assessed its genetic diversity in a postfire succession. METHODS: We genotyped 122 individuals collected across a latitudinal gradient in Quebec. Using the software Stacks, we compared four different approaches of locus selection and single-nucleotide polymorphism calling. We identified the best fitting approach to investigate population structure and estimate genetic diversity of C. stellaris. RESULTS: Populations in southern Quebec are not genetically different from those of northern LWs. The species consists of at least four phylogenetic lineages with elevated levels of genetic diversity and low co-ancestry. In Parc National des Grands-Jardins, we reported high values of genetic diversity not related with time since fire disturbance and low genetic differentiation among populations with different fire histories. CONCLUSIONS: This first population genomic study of C. stellaris is an important step forward to understand the origin and biogeographic patterns of lichen woodlands in North America. Our findings also contribute to the understanding of the effect of postfire succession on the genetic structure of the species.
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    Primeras citas de Onychogomphus cazuma Barona, Cardo & Díaz, 2020 (Odonata: Gomphidae) y confirmación de su reproducción en Castilla-La Mancha (España)
    (Universidad de Murcia. Servicio de publicaciones, 2020) Ramos Sánchez, Jacobo; García Valero, Álvaro; Menor Albero, Ricardo; Tarruella Rodenas, María José; Fernández Terrer, José Luis; Martínez García, Teodoro; Evangelio Pinach, Jesús Miguel
    En el presente documento se aportan los primeros datos sobre la biología de Onychogomphus cazuma Barona, Cardo & Díaz, 2020 en la región de Castilla-La Mancha (centro-este de España), confirmando su reproducción en dicho territorio mediante el hallazgo de exuvias y una hembra recién emergida. Hasta la fecha la especie solo se había detectado en la provincia de Valencia, en localidades situadas a más de 100 km
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    Recovery of the pubic symphysis on primiparous young and multiparous senescent mice at postpartum
    (F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2012) Consonni, Silvio Roberto; Giardini Rosa, Renata; Cavinato Nascimento, Maria Amália; Mendes Vinagre, Cristiane; Szymanski Toledo, Olga Maria; Pinto Joazeiro, Paulo
    It has been observed that parturition has a significant effect on female skeletal architecture and that age alters musculoskeletal tissues and their functions. We therefore hypothesized that multiparity affects the recovery of the pubic symphysis in senescent mice at postpartum and the morphology of the interpubic tissues. The pubic symphysis of primiparous young, virgin senescent (VS) and multiparous senescent (MS) Swiss mice was examined by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, morphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry. The mouse pubic symphysis was remodeled during the first pregnancy: the cellular phenotype and morphology changed to ensure a structurally safe birth canal, followed by recovery of the interpubic articulation after birth. The morphology of the pubic symphysis in the VS group was maintained in a state similar to that observed in virgin young mice. In contrast, MS mice exhibited an interpubic ligament characterized by extended fibrocyte-like cells, an opened interpubic articulation gap, compacted and thin collagen fibrils and scarce galectin-3-positive cells. Thus, we found that the cellular and extracellular characteristics of the pubic symphysis were altered by multiparity in senescent mice. These particular tissue characteristics of the MS group might be associated with an impaired recovery process at postpartum. Thus, a better understanding of the alterations that occur in the birth canal, including the pubic symphysis, due to multiparity in reproductively aged mice may contribute to our comprehension of the biological mechanisms that modify the skeleton and pelvic ligaments and even play a role in the murine model of pelvic organ prolapse
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    La reproducción también es economía
    (Murcia : Editora Regional de Murcia, 1999) Ruíz, Beatriz; Editora Regional de Murcia
    El ser humano y su reproducción es una de las zonas más invisibles de la economía. Pero paralelamente o por debajo de los paradigmas clásicos en los que nos movemos los científicos sociales habitualmente, hay otros que oponen, la economía doméstica a la "ciencia de adquirir" en el mercado; una ética para las "gentes del planeta", frente a una depravada teoría de las poblaciones; una justicia para los pueblos frente a una irracional, pero legitimada violencia del , Estado; y una dignidad para todas las personas, frente a la usurpación de esos pocos individuos sumamente racionales, correctamente políticos, extremadamente egoístas y perfectamente viriles.
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    Seminal plasma mitigates the adverse effect of uterine fluid on boar spermatozoa
    (Elsevier, 2019-09-15) Luongo, Chiara; Abril Sánchez, Silvia; Hernández Cifre, José G.; García Vázquez, Francisco A.; Química Física
    After natural or artificial insemination, spermatozoa start their journey within the uterus to reach the site of fertilization, but only few of them attain this goal. Part of this spermatozoa loss happens in the uterus, in which uterine fluid (UF) seems to be involved. It is known from other species that UF provokes damage to spermatozoa, which is avoided when seminal plasma (SP) is present. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of UF on the quality of ejaculated (previously contacted with SP) and epididymal (without previous contact with SP) boar spermatozoa analyzing motility, kinetic parameters, viability and acrosome integrity in the presence or absence of SP over time. Three experimental groups were evaluated in each source of spermatozoa (ejaculated and epididymal): 1) Control: spermatozoa with 20% of SP; 2) UF: spermatozoa with 20% of UF; and 3) UF-SP: spermatozoa with 20% of SP and 20% of UF. Total and progressive motility, kinetic parameters (VCL, VSL, VAP, LIN, STR, WOB, and BCF), viability and acrosome damage were analyzed at 15, 60, 120 and 180 min after incubation. Total and progressive motility decreased when ejaculated spermatozoa were incubated in UF in contrast to control and UF-SP groups (p < 0.0007), with no differences between control and UF-SP. The VCL decreased in the UF group compared to the control and UF-SP groups in ejaculated spermatozoa (p = 0.0002). The VSL, VAP, LIN and STR kinetic parameters were greater when ejaculated spermatozoa were incubated in the UF-SP group than in the UF group (all: p < 0.02). Acrosome damage increased in ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa incubated in the UF group compared to the control and UF-SP groups (both: p < 0.0001). Also, the viability of epididymal spermatozoa decreased in the UF group, while it did not change in the control and UF-SP groups (p = 0.0004). The rest of the parameters in either ejaculated or epididymal spermatozoa did not differ between experimental groups, except for WOB when epididymal spermatozoa were used (UF-SP higher than the control group, with UF being similar for both; p = 0.03). In conclusion, both ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa are affected by UF, suggesting a negative effect on their quality. This negative effect is reduced by the presence of SP, improving the spermatozoa functionality, preserving motility, viability and acrosome integrity.
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    The Proteome of Large or Small Extracellular Vesicles in Pig Seminal Plasma Differs, Defining Sources and Biological Functions
    (Elsevier -- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2023-04) Barranco, Isabel; Sánchez-López, Christian M; Bucci, Diego; Alvarez-Barrientos, Alberto; Rodriguez-Martinez, Heriberto; Marcilla, Antonio; Roca, Jordi; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Seminal plasma contains many morphologically heterogeneous extracellular vesicles (sEVs). These are sequentially released by cells of the testis, epididymis, and accessory sex glands and involved in male and female reproductive processes. This study aimed to define in depth sEV subsets isolated by ultrafiltration and size exclusion chromatography, decode their proteomic profiles using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and quantify identified proteins using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra. The sEV subsets were defined as large (L-EVs) or small (S-EVs) by their protein concentration, morphology, size distribution, and EV-specific protein markers and purity. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry identified a total of 1034 proteins, 737 of them quantified by SWATH in S-EVs, L-EVs, and non-EVs-enriched samples (18-20 size exclusion chromatography-eluted fractions). The differential expression analysis revealed 197 differentially abundant proteins between both EV subsets, S-EVs and L-EVs, and 37 and 199 between S-EVs and L-EVs versus non-EVs-enriched samples, respectively. The gene ontology enrichment analysis of differentially abundant proteins suggested, based on the type of protein detected, that S-EVs could be mainly released through an apocrine blebbing pathway and be involved in modulating the immune environment of the female reproductive tract as well as during sperm-oocyte interaction. In contrast, L-EVs could be released by fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane becoming involved in sperm physiological processes, such as capacitation and avoidance of oxidative stress. In conclusion, this study provides a procedure capable of isolating subsets of EVs from pig seminal plasma with a high degree of purity and shows differences in the proteomic profile between EV subsets, indicating different sources and biological functions for the sEVs.