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Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa
Published on: December 30, 2014
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Transmembrane protein 95 as a promising molecular marker of ram sperm functionality
Cristina Palacin-Martinez1, Mercedes Alvarez1, Cristina Soriano-Úbeda1
1Investigación en Técnicas de Reproducción Asistida (Itra-ULE), INDEGSAL, University of León, 24071, León, Spain; Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy, University of León, 24071, León, Spain.
Theriogenology
|April 16, 2025
Summary
The novel protein transmembrane 95 (TMEM95) is a potential biomarker for ram sperm quality. Its expression changes with sperm capacitation and is reduced by cooling and freezing, indicating early damage during preservation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Sperm Cryobiology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Optimizing ovine sperm preservation is crucial for artificial insemination.
- Characterizing novel proteins can improve preservation protocols using biomarkers.
- Transmembrane 95 (TMEM95) is a sperm membrane protein linked to oocyte-sperm fusion, previously studied in other species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the expression of TMEM95 in ram sperm.
- To investigate the relationship between TMEM95 and sperm quality markers during capacitation and preservation.
- To evaluate TMEM95 as a potential biomarker for ram sperm viability.
Main Methods:
- Sperm samples were analyzed for functionality: capacitated, refrigerated (5°C for 24, 48, 72h), and frozen-thawed.
- Compared to initial samples (15°C for 3h).
- Assessed sperm quality parameters including motility, viability, mitochondrial function, acrosome reaction, and zinc content (using Fluozin-3).
- TMEM95 expression was quantified and correlated with sperm quality markers.
Main Results:
- Capacitation increased TMEM95 expression and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, while decreasing linearity.
- Semen quality and TMEM95 expression decreased progressively during liquid storage, with significant reductions at 48h.
- Cryopreservation significantly reduced all sperm quality parameters and TMEM95 expression compared to initial samples.
- TMEM95 showed positive correlations with apoptosis-like changes and acrosome reaction in capacitated samples.
- TMEM95 correlated positively with motility, viability, and mitochondrial function in preserved samples.
Conclusions:
- TMEM95 expression is linked to ram sperm capacitation status.
- TMEM95 levels decrease with extended liquid storage and after cryopreservation.
- TMEM95 may serve as an early indicator of sperm damage during ovine semen preservation protocols.
