Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Seminal Plasma, Sperm Membrane Proteins, and Seminal Extracellular Vesicles Suggests Vesicular Mechanisms Aid in the Removal and Addition of Proteins to the Ram Sperm Membrane

Abstract

Quantitative proteomic studies are contributing greatly to the understanding of the spermatozoon through the provision of detailed information on the proteins spermatozoa acquire and shed in the acquisition of fertility. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are thought to aid in the delivery of proteins to spermatozoa in the male reproductive tract. The aim of this study is to isolate, identify and quantify EV proteins isolated from ram seminal plasma. Ram sperm plasma membrane proteins are also isolated using nitrogen cavitation and identified to better understand the interplay of proteins between the sperm membrane and extracellular environment. The categorization of proteins enriched in the EV population according to their function revealed three main groupings: vesicle biogenesis, metabolism, and membrane adhesion and remodeling. The latter group contains many reproduction-specific proteins that show demonstrable links to sperm fertility. Many of these membrane-bound proteins show testicular expression and are shed from the sperm surface during epididymal maturation (e.g., testis expressed 101; TEX101 and lymphocyte Antigen 6 Family Member K; LY6K). Their association with seminal EVs suggests that EVs may not only deliver protein cargo to spermatozoa but also assist in the removal of proteins from the sperm membrane.