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Milk proteins interact with goat Binder of SPerm (BSP) proteins and decrease their binding to sperm.
Erika Bezerra de Menezes1,2, Mauricio van Tilburg2, Geneviève Plante1
1Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3J7.
Milk proteins interact with seminal plasma Binder of SPerm (BSP) proteins, reducing their binding to goat sperm. This interaction offers potential protection for sperm during preservation, especially when milk is added after seminal plasma exposure.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Animal Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Seminal plasma Binder of SPerm (BSP) proteins are crucial for sperm capacitation but can damage sperm membranes in excess.
- Milk components in semen extenders may associate with BSP proteins, potentially protecting sperm from damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between milk proteins and BSP proteins.
- To determine if milk proteins reduce BSP binding to goat sperm.
Main Methods:
- Gel filtration chromatography and immunoblotting were used to analyze protein interactions.
- ELISA and Far-western dot blots confirmed BSP protein binding to milk proteins (caseins and β-lactoglobulin).
- Epididymal sperm were incubated with seminal plasma and/or milk, followed by analysis of BSP binding to sperm membrane proteins via immunoblotting.
Main Results:
- Milk proteins demonstrated an affinity for goat BSP proteins, specifically caseins and β-lactoglobulin.
- Incubation with skimmed milk significantly reduced BSP binding to sperm membranes by 59.3% when milk followed seminal plasma exposure (p < 0.05).
- Pre-incubation with milk before seminal plasma did not significantly reduce BSP coating (57.6%, p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Goat BSP proteins interact with both casein and whey milk proteins.
- Milk effectively reduces BSP binding to goat sperm, with efficacy dependent on the order of exposure (milk after seminal plasma is more protective).
- These findings suggest a mechanism for the protective role of milk in goat sperm preservation.
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