Immunoblot analysis of antibodies obtained from rabbits immunized with a synthetic Binder of Sperm Protein-1 (BSP-1) epitope

Abstract

This study aims to analyze whether antibodies produced through multiple vaccinations of a synthetic Binder of Sperm Protein-1 (BSP-1) epitope to local rabbits, can react against BSP-1 found in the ruminant sperm. BSP-1 is one of the biomarkers suggested to authenticate sire fertility. The method used was immunoblot assay against frozen semen of Bali cattle and local buffalo, also against the extracts of the caput-, and cauda- epididymis, as well as the testis of the buffalo. Analyses showed that the antibodies reacted to antigens found in the frozen semen of cattle and buffalo. The most notable result was that the antibody reacted specifically to buffalo frozen semen. No reactions occurred to the extracts of the caput-, and cauda-epididymis, as well as to the testis of the buffalo. Further research is needed to ascertain whether the antibody can be used to develop a sire fertility detection kit.