Wen Xin, Ren Hong, He Qianqian, Yi Minna, Ulaangerel Tseweendolmaa, Bou Gerelchimeg
Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Animals (Basel). 2025 May 23;15(11):1532. doi: 10.3390/ani15111532.
Horses and donkeys, as integral members of the equine family, exhibit distinct reproductive capabilities and characteristics. Seminal plasma, the fluid component of semen, contains a variety of proteins that play critical roles in sperm function and fertility. This study aimed to systematically compare the protein profiles in the seminal plasma of horses and donkeys, thereby elucidating the molecular differences between these two species. The study utilized 4D-DIA proteomics technology to analyze seminal plasma from horses and donkeys and further validated key proteins through Western blot. Our findings revealed significant variations in seminal plasma protein composition between horses and donkeys. We identified 2380 and 2385 proteins in the seminal plasma of horses and donkeys. Among these proteins, 59 are solely present in the seminal plasma of horses, and 64 uniquely exsit in that of donkeys, respectively. These insights enhance our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the reproductive distinctions between these equine species. Moreover, the identified species specific proteins may be essential for thier sperm quality and function, which holds practical value for breeding programs and investigations.
马和驴作为马科动物的重要成员，具有独特的繁殖能力和特征。精浆是精液的液体成分，含有多种在精子功能和生育能力中起关键作用的蛋白质。本研究旨在系统比较马和驴精浆中的蛋白质谱，从而阐明这两个物种之间的分子差异。该研究利用4D-DIA蛋白质组学技术分析马和驴的精浆，并通过蛋白质免疫印迹进一步验证关键蛋白质。我们的研究结果显示，马和驴的精浆蛋白质组成存在显著差异。我们在马和驴的精浆中分别鉴定出2380种和2385种蛋白质。在这些蛋白质中，分别有59种仅存在于马的精浆中，64种仅存在于驴的精浆中。这些见解加深了我们对这些马科动物繁殖差异背后生物学机制的理解。此外，鉴定出的物种特异性蛋白质可能对它们的精子质量和功能至关重要，这对育种计划和研究具有实际价值。
