Seminal plasma protein profiles in three different breeds of equines

Abstract

Semen ejaculates (8) were obtained from 2 Marwari stallions, 2 Zanskari stallions and 2 exotic jacks (martina franca). Gel portion of the semen was removed by filtration and immediately the seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation at 2000 rpm for 30 min and stored at –20°C until further analysis. Total protein from the seminal plasma was estimated by Lowry method and the molecular weight was analysed by SDS-PAGE. The total protein concentration was found to be 0.71, 2.24 and 2.21 g/dl in Marwari, Zanskari and exotic jack seminal plasma respectively. The differences in protein concentration were found to be significantly higher in Zanskari and jack stallions as compared to Marwari stallion. There was no significant difference of total protein values between Zanskari and jack stallions. A total of 12 protein bands were observed in the seminal plasma of both Marwari and Zanskari stallions and are in common, whereas, 15 protein bands were observed in the seminal plasma of exotic jacks. The seminal plasma proteins in Marwari and Zanskari stallions ranged from 11.45KDa to 130.23kDa and that of exotic jack ranged from 11.45kDa to 162.83kDa. Out of 15 protein bands observed, 3 were unique in jack stallions having molecular weight of 36.52 kDa, 39.25 kDa and 1602.83 kDa. It can be concluded from this study that at least 12 bands of protein were in common between the all the 3 breeds of equines, and seminal plasma protein profile of jack stallion is different from the Marwari and Zanskari stallions.