ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Vet. Sci.
Sec. Animal Reproduction - Theriogenology
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1621088
Proteomic profiling in boar sperm with differential freezability
Provisionally accepted
Heming Sui Heming SuiXingyu Yang Xingyu YangYi Xia Yi XiaZhenyuan Ru Zhenyuan RuPengfei Zhang Pengfei ZhangHaonan Li Haonan LiAnbang Xu Anbang XuZhengyu Diao Zhengyu DiaoYongkang Song Yongkang SongZongjun Yin Zongjun Yin
Xiaodong Zhang
Yunhai Zhang*
Zubing Cao zubing Cao*- Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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Sperm freezability exhibits considerable variation among pigs due to genetic, husbandry, and management differences. Boar sperm cryopreservation remains underutilized in production due to inconsistent freezability. Semen with good freezability (GF) enhances sow litter sizes and reduces breeding costs. Prior studies identified freezability biomarkers in cattle, sheep, and pigs. To investigate these biomarkers comprehensively, we conducted proteomic profiling on poor freezability (PF) and GF boar sperm. We detected 2,485 proteins, identifying 337 significantly differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Gene Ontology (GO) annotation revealed DEP involvement in crucial processes: protein homeostasis maintenance, zona pellucida binding, polyspermy blockade, and ATPase activation regulation. Molecular functions included immune signaling and oxidative stress defense. KEGG pathway analysis highlighted DEP enrichment in seminal adhesion complexes, nucleic acid helicase families, and mitochondrial membrane protein clusters. Subcellular localization showed predominant DEP distribution in cytoplasm, extracellular matrix, nucleus, mitochondria, and plasma membrane. Western Blot validation of differentially expressed proteins (HSP90AA1, ACE, ANXA2, DEFB1, and S100A8) demonstrated results consistent with proteomic sequencing data. This study delineates key proteomic differences underlying boar sperm freezability, providing insights to refine cryopreservation protocols and augment swine reproductive efficiency.
Keywords: pig, sperm, Freezability, Proteome, biomarker
Received: 30 Apr 2025; Accepted: 27 Aug 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Sui, Yang, Xia, Ru, Zhang, Li, Xu, Diao, Song, Yin, Zhang, Zhang and Cao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Yunhai Zhang, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
Zubing Cao zubing Cao, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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