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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
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Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa
Published on: December 30, 2014
Proteomic Profiling of Cryopreservation-Induced Alterations in Rhesus Macaque Sperm
Xiao-Jing Fan1,2,3, Xiao-Lu Fan2,3, Hai-Tao Zhang1,2,3
1Medical Research Center, Fujian Children's Hospital (Fujian Branch of Shanghai Children's Medical Center), College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
Andrology
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Cryopreservation significantly alters rhesus macaque sperm proteins, impacting metabolism and stress response. Understanding these changes is key to improving nonhuman primate sperm banking and conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Proteomics
- Cryobiology
Background:
- Sperm cryopreservation is vital for assisted reproduction but challenging for nonhuman primates due to low post-thaw viability.
- Species-specific factors complicate nonhuman primate sperm freezing compared to routine human protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate proteomic alterations in rhesus macaque sperm pre- and post-cryopreservation.
- Identify molecular mechanisms underlying cryoinjury in nonhuman primate sperm.
Main Methods:
- Collected semen from rhesus macaques; quantified motility using CASA.
- Employed DIA quantitative proteomics (LC-MS/MS) to analyze global protein expression.
- Assessed sperm morphology, DNA integrity, ROS, and validated proteomic findings via immunofluorescence.
Main Results:
- Identified 512 differentially expressed proteins (32 up, 480 down), enriched in metabolic reprogramming, oxidative stress, and protein homeostasis pathways.
- Confirmed reduced levels of SOD1, PGK2, PKC-alpha, and phospho-tyrosine post-cryopreservation.
- These proteins are crucial for sperm motility, energy metabolism, and oxidative balance.
Conclusions:
- Cryopreservation profoundly remodels rhesus macaque sperm proteomes, affecting mitochondrial function and metabolic balance.
- Findings highlight conserved and species-specific cryoinjury mechanisms.
- Identified molecular targets can optimize nonhuman primate cryopreservation for conservation strategies.
