1. The enigmatic seminal plasma: a proteomics insight from ejaculation to fertilization
- Author
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Tania R. Dias, Rajeshwari Parida, Luna Samanta, and Ashok Agarwal
- Subjects
Male ,Proteomics ,0301 basic medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,lcsh:QH471-489 ,Proteome ,Reproductive medicine ,Review ,Reproductive technology ,Biology ,Exosomes ,Bioinformatics ,lcsh:Gynecology and obstetrics ,Female reproductive tract ,Male infertility ,03 medical and health sciences ,Endocrinology ,Human fertilization ,Semen ,Prostasomes ,medicine ,lcsh:Reproduction ,Humans ,Ejaculation ,lcsh:RG1-991 ,Seminal plasma ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,medicine.disease ,Spermatozoa ,Sperm ,Epididymosomes ,030104 developmental biology ,Reproductive Medicine ,Fertilization ,Cytokines ,Assisted reproductive technologies ,Biomarkers ,Developmental Biology - Abstract
Background The ‘omics’ approach for a noninvasive diagnosis of male reproductive system disorders has gained momentum during the last decade, particularly from a screening and prognosis point of view. Due to the rapid development in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) over the years, the major focus of proteomic studies has been around the ejaculated spermatozoa. Although seminal plasma is not a requirement for ART, the question arose whether the role of seminal plasma is merely to transport spermatozoa. Main body Seminal plasma (SP) contains a large diversity of proteins that are essential not only for sperm transport, but also for sperm protection and maturation. Most of the proteins bind to sperm surface through exosomes (epididymosomes and prostasomes), modulating sperm function, interaction with the female reproductive tract and finally fertilization. This review focuses on the state-of-art discoveries regarding SP proteome and its role in fertilization. Conclusion Tissue-specific proteins in the SP have emerged as fundamental contributors for protein biomarker discovery. This is important for a noninvasive diagnosis of male infertility and development of new therapeutic approaches. Moreover, ART success rates may be improved by taking into account the critical role of seminal proteome in fertilization.
- Published
- 2018
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