RESUMO
This study aimed to evaluate the proteomic profile of seminal plasma from young Nellore bulls. We used 20 bulls aged between 19.8 and 22.7 months, divided into two groups according to the results of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE): approved (FIT n = 10) and not approved (UNFIT n = 10). The scrotal perimeter was measured and a semen collection was performed through electroejaculation. The percentage of sperm motility, mass motility, and sperm vigor were calculated using conventional microscopy, and the percentage of sperm abnormalities was calculated using phase-contrast microscopy of all ejaculates. Seminal plasma was separated from spermatozoa using centrifugation and processed for proteomic analysis by LC-MS/MS. Seminal plasma proteins were identified using MASCOT Daemon software v.2.4.0 and label-free quantification analysis was carried out by SCAFFOLD Q+ software v.4.0 using the Exponentially Modified Protein Abundance Index (emPAI) method. Functional classification of proteins was performed based on their genetic ontology terms using KOG. Functional cluster analysis was performed on DAVID. There were no differences in scrotal perimeter and physical semen characteristics between FIT and UNFIT groups of bulls. The percentage of sperm abnormalities was higher (p < 0.05) in the UNFIT group of bulls. A total of 297 proteins were identified for the two groups. There were a total of 11 differentially abundant proteins (p < 0.05), two of them more abundant in FIT bulls (Spermadhesin-1 and Ig gamma-1 chain C region) and nine in UNFIT bulls (Vasoactive intestinal peptide, Metalloproteinase inhibitor 2, Ig lambda-1 chain C regions, Protein FAM3C, Hemoglobin beta, Seminal ribonuclease, Spermadhesin 2, Seminal plasma protein BSP-30kDa, and Spermadhesin Z13). Spermadhesin-1 was the protein with the highest relative abundance (36.7%) in the seminal plasma among all bulls, corresponding to 47.7% for the FIT bulls and 25,7% for the UNFIT bulls. Posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones were the functional categories with the highest number of classified proteins. Protein functional annotation clusters were related to Phospholipid efflux, ATP binding, and chaperonin-containing T-complex. The differentially abundant proteins in the group of FIT bulls were related to sperm capacitation and protection against reactive species of oxygen. In contrast, differentially expressed proteins in the group of UNFIT bulls were related to motility inhibition, intramembrane cholesterol removal and oxidative stress. In conclusion, the proteomic profile of the seminal plasma of FIT bulls presents proteins with participation in several biological processes favorable to fertilization, while the proteins of the seminal plasma of UNFIT bulls indicate a series of alterations that can compromise the fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa. In addition, the relative abundance of spermadhesin-1 found in the seminal plasma of young Nellore bulls could be studied as a reproductive parameter for selection.
RESUMO
Morphological studies on wildlife animals have increased in an attempt to explore and understand minutely their adaptive evolution and how it relates to or differentiate from domestic animals. The aim of this study was to describe microscopically esophageal regions (cranial, middle and caudal) of a group of male and female capybaras, using histological techniques. Samples were harvested, fixed, processed and analyzed. All three esophageal regions were covered by keratinized stratified epithelium, thicker in folds apex and towards the caudal region, proximal to the stomach. In this layer, stratum granulosum was well developed. The submucosa, constituted of loose connective tissue, showed no glands. The muscular layer, externally lined by serous and/or adventitial layer, presented two orientations (circular and longitudinal) in the three regions, and it showed striated skeletal muscle fibers with developed nerve plexus
Os estudos morfológicos em animais de fauna silvestre têm aumentado na tentativa de explorar e conhecer em detalhes suas adaptações, e como estas se relacionam ou diferenciam com as dos animais domésticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever microscopicamente as regiões esofágicas (cranial, média e caudal) de um grupo de capivaras de ambos os sexos, por meio de técnicas histológicas de coloração. As amostras foram previamente obtidas, fixadas, processadas e analisadas. Observou-se que as três regiões esofágicas estavam revestidas por epitélio estratificado pavimentoso queratinizado, sendo mais espesso, em geral, no ápice das pregas e sua espessura aumenta em direção à regi ão caudal, próximo ao estômago. Nesta camada, o estrato granuloso está bem desenvolvido. A submucosa de tecido conjuntivo frouxo é aglandular. A camada muscular revestida pela serosa e/ou adventícia externamente, apresentou duas orientações (circular e longitudinal) nas três regiões, e é constituída por fibras musculares estriadas esqueléticas com plexos nervosos desenvolvidos.
Los estudios morfológicos en animales de fauna silvestre han aumentado en la tentativa de explorar y conocer en detalle sus adaptaciones, y como estas se relacionan o diferencian con las de los animales domésticos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir microscópicamente las regiones esofágicas (craneal, media y caudal) de un grupo de capibaras de ambos sexos por medio de técnicas histológicas de coloración. Las muestras fueron previamente obtenidas, fijadas, procesadas y analizadas. Se observó que las tres regiones esofágicas estaban revestidas de epitelio estratificado plano queratinizado, siendo más espeso, en general, en el ápice de los pliegues y su espesura aumenta en dirección a la región caudal, próxima al estómago. En esta camada, el estrato granuloso está bien desarrollado. La submucosa es de tejido conectivo laxo, es aglandular. La camada muscular revestida por la serosa y/o adventicia externamente, presentó dos orientaciones (circular y longitudinal) en las tres regiones, y es constituida de fibras musculares estriadas esqueléticas con plexos nerviosos desarrollados.
