Advances in sperm proteomics: best-practise methodology and clinical potential

Abstract

The recent application of mass spectrometry to the study of the sperm cell has led to an unprecedented capacity for identification of sperm proteins in a variety of species. Knowledge of the proteins that make up the sperm cell represents the first step towards understanding its normal function and the molecular anomalies associated with male infertility. The present review starts with an introduction of the sperm cell biology and is followed by the consideration of the methodological key aspects to be aware of during sample sourcing and preparation, including data interpretation. It then overviews the initiatives developed so far towards the completion of the sperm proteome, with a particular focus in human but with the inclusion of some comments on different model species. Finally, all studies performing differential proteomics in infertile patients are reviewed, pointing to future potential applications.

Identification of protein changes in human spermatozoa throughout the cryopreservation process

“…In summary, in this study, we have detected substantial changes occurring in the sperm proteome at every stage of the cryopreservation process which may ultimately impair the sperm fertilizing capability. The possibility is now open to further consider the potential use and significance of the detected proteins as potentially relevant biomarkers in future studies, to determine its relation to other sperm composition aspects and to develop methodological alternatives to reduce cryoinjury (Codina et al ., ; Paiva et al ., ; Carrell et al ., ). It will also be interesting in future studies to determine the contributing effect of the minor proportion non‐sperm cells in the cryoinjury‐induced changes in the sperm proteome.…”

“…The development of higher throughput strategies to study proteins based on liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry has substantially increased our interest on the sperm proteome (de Mateo et al ., , ; Oliva et al ., ; Codina et al ., ). However, to the best of our knowledge, only a few studies have been performed to date to determine the effects on freeze–thawing on the proteome of spermatozoa (Li et al ., ; Vilagran et al ., ; Wang et al ., ; Cheng et al ., ) which is surprising as up to 6000 human spermatozoa proteins have been identified to date (Baker et al ., ; Amaral et al ., , ,b; Wang et al ., ).…”

Comparative analysis of proteomes between diabetic and normal human sperm: Insights into the effects of diabetes on male reproduction based on the regulation of mitochondria‐related proteins

“…The identification of protein biomarkers for male infertility is important for understanding both the underlying molecular pathology as well as normal sperm function (Codina & Estanyol, ; Nowickabauer & Kurpisz, ). Aberrant expression of a number of key proteins involved in spermatogenesis or fertilization is associated with low fertility or infertility (Agarwal & Bertolla, ; Govindaraju & Dogan, ; Tomar & Sooch, ).…”

14‐3‐3 epsilon plays an important role in testicular germ cell apoptosis: A functional proteomic study of experimental varicocele

“…Proteomics is a powerful technology that allows simultaneous analysis of many proteins and has been developed as an effective method to find key proteins or potential therapeutic targets in reproductive biology and medicine (Codina, Estanyol, Fidalgo, Ballescà, & Oliva, ). In our study, we attempted to clarify the underlying molecular mechanism behind germ cell apoptosis induced by varicocele using proteomics analysis.…”