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Proteins of the canine seminal plasma

Proteínas do plasma seminal canino

ABSTRACT:

Studies have been performed to identify the proteins present in canine seminal plasma (SP) and relate them to sperm quality as well as to discover molecular markers of reproductive tract diseases. There is evidence that heparin-binding proteins, zinc-binding proteins, and lactoferrin as well as the matrix metalloproteinase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase enzymes are associated with canine sperm quality. Other studies indicate that prolactin and enzymes like arginine esterase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase could be successfully used as biomarkers of reproductive disorders. Thus, the present literature review aims to address aspects related to proteins of the canine SP, their influence on fertility, and their importance as biomarkers of reproductive disorders.

Key words:
seminal plasma; dog; proteins.

RESUMO:

Pesquisas têm sido realizadas para identificar as proteínas presentes no plasma seminal canino, com o intuito de relacioná-las com a qualidade espermática, bem como buscar por marcadores moleculares de patologias do trato reprodutivo. Há evidências de que as proteínas ligadoras de heparina, ligadoras de zinco, a lactoferrina, bem como as enzimas matrix metalloproteinase, superoxide dismutase, catalase e a glutationa peroxidase estão relacionadas com a qualidade seminal canina. Outras pesquisas indicam que a prolactina, e as enzimas arginina esterase, fosfatase ácida e fosfatase alcalina poderiam ser utilizadas com sucesso como biomarcadores de doenças reprodutivas. Assim, esta revisão de literatura objetiva abordar aspectos relacionados às proteínas do plasma seminal canino, suas influências sobre a fertilidade, e sua importância como biomarcadores de doenças reprodutivas.

Palavras-chave:
plasma seminal; cão; proteínas.

INTRODUCTION

Secretions produced by the testicles, epididymis, and accessory sex glands constitute the seminal plasma (SP) (MANN & MANN, 1981MANN, T.; L-MANN, C. Biochemistry of seminal plasma and male acessory fluids: applications to andrological problems. In: _____. Male reproductive function and semen. Themes and trends in phisiology, biochemistry and investigative andrology. Berlim: Springer Verlag, 1981. 495p, p.269-336.; REGO et al., 2014REGO, J.P.A. et al. Seminal plasma proteome of electroejaculated Bos indicus bulls., Animal Reproduction Science v.148, p.1-17, 2014. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432014001353 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.04.016.
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). The prostate is the only accessory sex gland of dogs, and its fluid constitutes approximately 95% of the ejaculate (IGUER-OUADA & VERSTEGEN, 2001IGUER-OUADA, M.; VERSTEGEN, J.P. Long-term preservation of chilled canine semen: effect of commercial and laboratory prepared extenders., Theriogenology v.55, p.671-684, 2001. Available from: <Available from: http://link.periodicos.capes.gov.br.ez76.periodicos.capes.gov.br/sfxlcl41?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_ctx_fmt=fi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rfr_id=info:sid/sfxit.com:azlist&sfx.ignore_date_threshold=1&rft.object_id=954925464194&svc.fulltext=yes >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(01)00435-6.
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). It is possible that the prostate fluid has a unique relationship with the spermatozoa in dogs and affects them differently than in other species.

Various proteins have been identified in the canine SP, and studies have attempted to show how these macromolecules can affect sperm quality and fertility (KIKUCHI et al., 2003KIKUCHI, M. et al. Seminal plasma lactoferrin but not transferrin reflects gonadal function in dogs., Journal of Veterinary Medical Science v.65, p.679-684, 2003. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/65/6/65_6_679/_article >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.65.679.
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms...
; SOUZA et al., 2007SOUZA, F.F. et al. Characteristics of seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with canine semen analysis., Theriogenology v.68, p.100-106, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X07001641 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.11.016.
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; SAENGSOI et al., 2011SAENGSOI, W. et al. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in canine seminal plasma., Animal Reproduction Science v.127, p.114-119, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432011001795 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.07.004.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
; MOGIELNICKA-BRZOZOWSKA et al., 2012MOGIELNICKA-BRZOZOWSKA, M. et al. Isolation and characterization of zinc-binding proteins of canine seminal plasma. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, v.15, p.493-498, 2012. Available from: <Available from: http://link.periodicos.capes.gov.br.ez76.periodicos.capes.gov.br/sfxlcl41?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_ctx_fmt=fi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rfr_id=info:sid/sfxit.com:azlist&sfx.ignore_date_threshold=1&rft.object_id=991042754052872&svc.fulltext=yes >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.2478/v10181-012-0076-5.
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). The identification of SP proteins should provide a better understanding of canine reproductive physiology (SOUZA et al., 2007SOUZA, F.F. et al. Characteristics of seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with canine semen analysis., Theriogenology v.68, p.100-106, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X07001641 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.11.016.
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), assisting in the development of new semen storage protocols (BECCAGLIA et al., 2009BECCAGLIA, M. et al. Tris-Lecithin extender supplemented with antioxidant catalase for chilling of canine semen. Reproduction in Domestic Animal, v.44, p.345-349, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01410.x/abstract;jsessionid=4667E0DE3CB9718AD63BF46252D6A2DE.f01t02 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01410.x.
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).

Prostate disorders have been observed in dogs (SMITH, 2008SMITH, J. Canine prostatic disease: a review of anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment., Theriogenology v.70, p.375-383, 2008. Available from: <Available from: http://www.theriojournal.com/article/S0093-691X(08)00226-4/pdf >. Accessed: Jun. 16, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.039.
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), and these disorders deserve special attention. Studies have shown that different proteins could be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate pathologies such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (SAGOLS & NAVARO, 2013SAGOLS, E.; NAVARRO, C. Follow up of CPSE concentrations after Osaterone treatment in dogs. In: EVSSA CONGRESS. Reproduction and Pediatrics in Dogs, Cats and Exotics, 16., 2013, Toulouse, France. Proceedings... Tolouse: EVSSA, 2013. 184p, p.169.). In addition to prostate diseases, other reproductive disorders such as azoospermia (SCHAFER-SOMI et al., 2013SCHAFER-SOMI, S. et al. Measurement of alkaline phosphatase in canine seminal plasma - an update. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.48, p. e10-12, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02025.x/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02025.x.
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) and obstruction of the vas deferens or epididymis (GOBELLO et al., 2002GOBELLO, C. et al. Serum and seminal markers in the diagnosis of disorders of the genital tract of the dog: a mini-review., Theriogenology v.57, p.1285-1291, 2002. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X02006283 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00628-3.
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) could also be diagnosed using biomarkers.

The identification of proteins in the canine SP, including molecular markers, can provide important benefits for human medicine, such as early diagnosis of diseases of the male reproductive tract, because canines are an excellent model for the study of complex diseases in humans (ROWELL et al., 2011ROWELL, J.L. et al. Dog models of naturally occurring cancer. Trends in Molecular Medicine, v.17, p.380-388, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471491411000438 >. Accessed: Jun. 16, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.02.004.
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).

Given the above findings, the present literature review aims to address aspects related to the proteins of the canine SP, their influence on fertility, and their importance as biomarkers of reproductive disorders.

Proteins of the canine SP

Experimental evidence from several studies suggests that the seminal proteins aid in maintaining the viability and survival of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract (SAENGSOI et al., 2011SAENGSOI, W. et al. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in canine seminal plasma., Animal Reproduction Science v.127, p.114-119, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432011001795 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.07.004.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
; DRUART et al., 2013DRUART, X. et al. Proteomic characterization and cross species comparison of mammalian seminal plasma. Journal of Proteomics, v.91, 13-22, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874391913003059 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.05.029.
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), capacitation (MANJUNATH & THÉRIEN, 2002MANJUNATH, P.; THÉRIEN, I. Role of seminal plasma phospholipid-binding proteins in sperm membrane lipid modification that occurs during capacitation. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, v.53, p.109-119, 2002. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165037801000985 >. Accessed: Jun. 16, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0165-0378(01)00098-5.
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), and spermatozoa binding to the zona pellucida of the oocyte (BECCAGLIA et al., 2009BECCAGLIA, M. et al. Tris-Lecithin extender supplemented with antioxidant catalase for chilling of canine semen. Reproduction in Domestic Animal, v.44, p.345-349, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01410.x/abstract;jsessionid=4667E0DE3CB9718AD63BF46252D6A2DE.f01t02 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01410.x.
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). The proteins of the canine SP also act as signaling molecules for the female immune system, modulating spermatozoa rejection or tolerance in the female genital tract (RODRÍGUEZ-MARTÍNEZ et al., 2011RODRÍGUEZ-MARTÍNEZ, H. et al. Seminal plasma proteins: what role do they play? American, Journal of Reproductive Immunology v.66, p.11-22, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01033.x/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01033.x.
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).

In recent decades, the proteomic profiles of the semen of various species have been studied to elucidate the effects of the different protein groups present in the SP and how they influence sperm cells (SOUZA et al., 2007SOUZA, F.F. et al. Characteristics of seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with canine semen analysis., Theriogenology v.68, p.100-106, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X07001641 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.11.016.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
; MOURA et al., 2010MOURA, A.A. et al. Proteomics of cauda epididymal fluid from mature Holstein bulls., Journal of Proteomics v.73, p.2006-2020, 2010. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874391910001831 >. Accessed: Aug. 23, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2010.06.005.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
; DRUART et al., 2013DRUART, X. et al. Proteomic characterization and cross species comparison of mammalian seminal plasma. Journal of Proteomics, v.91, 13-22, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874391913003059 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.05.029.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
). Interestingly, ejaculation is fractionated in many species (humans, swine, canines, and equines), and the interactions between the proteins of the canine SP and the spermatozoa, secretions, and epithelium of the female genital tract are still unknown (RODRÍGUEZ-MARTÍNEZ et al., 2011RODRÍGUEZ-MARTÍNEZ, H. et al. Seminal plasma proteins: what role do they play? American, Journal of Reproductive Immunology v.66, p.11-22, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01033.x/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01033.x.
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). In dogs, a species with fractionated ejaculation, the few existing studies on the subject have sought possible links between the different proteins isolated in the ejaculate and the sperm concentration (KIKUCHI et al., 2003KIKUCHI, M. et al. Seminal plasma lactoferrin but not transferrin reflects gonadal function in dogs., Journal of Veterinary Medical Science v.65, p.679-684, 2003. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/65/6/65_6_679/_article >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.65.679.
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), motility, vigor; percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, functionality and integrity of the sperm membrane (SOUZA et al., 2007SOUZA, F.F. et al. Characteristics of seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with canine semen analysis., Theriogenology v.68, p.100-106, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X07001641 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.11.016.
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); and sperm viability (SAENGSOI et al., 2011SAENGSOI, W. et al. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in canine seminal plasma., Animal Reproduction Science v.127, p.114-119, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432011001795 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.07.004.
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).

The concentrations of the proteins of the canine SP range from 1.88g dL-1 (AQUINO-CORTEZ, 2003AQUINO-CORTEZ, A. Avaliação dos componentes bioquímicos do líquido prostático e suas correlações com a qualidade espermática canina. 2003. 79f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências Veterinárias) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, CE.) to 2.3g dL-1 (MOTHEO et al., 2014MOTHEO, T.F. et al. Semen parameters and seminal plasma protein and biochemical profiles of dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia after botulinum toxin type A intraprostatic injection. Ciência Rural, v.44, n.6, p.1113-1118, 2014. Available from: <Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0103-84782014000600026&script=sci_arttext&tlng=es >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782014000600026.
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S010...
). Higher protein concentrations are present in the second fraction of the ejaculate (rich in spermatozoa, 4.15g dL-1) than in the third fraction or prostatic fluid (2.00g dL-1, BARTLETT, 1962BARTLETT, D.J. Studies on dog semen. II. Biochemical characteristics. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, v.3, p.190-205, 1962. Available from: <Available from: http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/3/2/173.short >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0030173.
http://www.reproduction-online.org/conte...
). In an experiment conducted with German shepherd and Rottweiler dog breeds, the total protein concentration of prostatic fluid did not differ between the studied breeds or between the good- and poor-quality ejaculates (AQUINO-CORTEZ, 2003AQUINO-CORTEZ, A. Avaliação dos componentes bioquímicos do líquido prostático e suas correlações com a qualidade espermática canina. 2003. 79f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências Veterinárias) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, CE.). When performing a proteomic analysis of the canine SP by one-dimensional electrophoresis on a denatured dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel (12% and 18% SDS-PAGE), 31 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 2.71kDa to 139.63kDa were reported; no seasonal variation in the protein profile was observed (MARTINS, 2005MARTINS, M.I.M. Efeito da sazonalidade sobre a função testicular de cães. 2005. 123f. Tese (Doutorado em Reprodução Animal) - Botucatu, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Estadual Paulista - Campus de Botucatu, SP.). In a subsequent study, which also used one-dimensional electrophoresis with different polyacrylamide concentrations (13% and 22% SDS-PAGE), 37 protein bands were identified. Bands B4 (67kDa) and B5 (58.6kDa) were positively associated with motility, vigor, morphologically normal spermatozoa, and membrane integrity (SOUZA et al., 2007SOUZA, F.F. et al. Characteristics of seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with canine semen analysis., Theriogenology v.68, p.100-106, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X07001641 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.11.016.
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).

The canine SP may also be involved in the process of sperm capacitation. During ejaculation, several proteins bind to the plasma membrane of spermatozoa, blocking the progesterone receptors located in the acrosome region (SIRIVAIDYAPONG et al., 1999SIRIVAIDYAPONG, S. et al. Acrosome reaction in dog sperm is induced by a membrane localized progesterone receptor., Journal of Andrology v.20, p.537-544, 1999. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1939-4640.1999.tb02553.x/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.1999.tb02553.x.
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). Coating proteins and glycoproteins of prostatic origin are gradually removed during capacitation, and other proteins can bind to the exposed receptors to induce the acrosome reaction (ROTA et al., 2007ROTA, A.A. et al. Effect of post-thaw dilution with autologous prostatic fluid on dog semen motility and sperm acrosome status., Theriogenology v.67, p.520-525, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X06004869 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.09.001.
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).

A group of SP proteins thought to be involved in capacitation and modulation of the acrosome reaction belongs to the heparin-binding protein (HBP) group (MILLER et al., 1990MILLER, D.J. et al. Heparin-binding proteins from seminal plasma bind to bovine spermatozoa and modulate capacitation by heparin., Biology of Reproduction v.42, p.899-915, 1990. Available from: <Available from: http://www.biolreprod.org/content/42/5-6/899.full.pdf >. Accessed: Aug. 18, 2015. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod42.6.899.
http://www.biolreprod.org/content/42/5-6...
). HBPs bind to the spermatozoa surface after ejaculation and affect fertility due to their modulatory role during the acrosome reaction (MANJUNATH et al., 1993MANJUNATH, P. et al. Major proteins of bovine seminal vesicles bind to spermatozoa. Biology of Reproduction, v.49, p.27-37, 1993. Available from: <Available from: http://www.biolreprod.org/content/50/1/27.full.pdf+html >. Accessed: Aug. 23, 2015. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod50.1.27.
http://www.biolreprod.org/content/50/1/2...
). SOUZA et al. (2006SOUZA, F.F. et al. Herapin-binding proteins of canine seminal plasma., Theriogenology v.66, p.1606-1609, 2006. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X06001129 >. Accessed: Aug. 18, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.02.016.
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), using heparin affinity chromatography followed by one-dimensional electrophoresis (12% and 18% SDS-PAGE), reported that 19 protein bands of the canine SP bound to the heparin column. Of these 19 proteins, a 61.5kDa protein was particularly thought be involved in the canine acrosome reaction (SOUZA et al., 2006SOUZA, F.F. et al. Herapin-binding proteins of canine seminal plasma., Theriogenology v.66, p.1606-1609, 2006. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X06001129 >. Accessed: Aug. 18, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.02.016.
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). The most studied HBP in several species is osteopontin (OPN), which has been found in high concentrations in canine SP (SOUZA et al., 2009SOUZA, F.F. et al. Osteopontin in seminal plasma and sperm membrane of dogs. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.44, p.283-286, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01447.x/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01447.x,
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). Although OPN has been associated with fertility in equines (BRANDON et al., 1999BRANDON, C.I. et al. Two-dimensional polyacrylamlde gel electrophoresis of equine seminal plasma proteins and their correlation with fertility. Theriogenology, v.52, p.863-873, 1999. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X99001788 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(99)00178-8.
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) and bovines (MOURA et al., 2006MOURA, A.A. et al. Identification of proteins in the accessory sex gland fluid associated with fertility indexes of dairy bulls: a proteomic approach., Journal of Andrology v.27, p.201-211, 2006. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2164/jandrol.05089/full >. Accessed: Jun. 17, 2015. doi: 10.2164/jandrol.05089.
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), this relationship has not yet been well established in canines (SOUZA et al., 2009SOUZA, F.F. et al. Osteopontin in seminal plasma and sperm membrane of dogs. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.44, p.283-286, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01447.x/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01447.x,
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); however, it is believed to exert a similar function in canines as in other species.

The zinc-binding proteins (ZnBPs) may be involved in spermatozoa-oocyte recognition during the fertilization process. The ZnBPs of the canine SP comprise 13 protein bands (11.6 to 152.3kDa) (MOGIELNICKA-BRZOZOWSKA et al., 2012MOGIELNICKA-BRZOZOWSKA, M. et al. Isolation and characterization of zinc-binding proteins of canine seminal plasma. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, v.15, p.493-498, 2012. Available from: <Available from: http://link.periodicos.capes.gov.br.ez76.periodicos.capes.gov.br/sfxlcl41?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&url_ctx_fmt=fi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rfr_id=info:sid/sfxit.com:azlist&sfx.ignore_date_threshold=1&rft.object_id=991042754052872&svc.fulltext=yes >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.2478/v10181-012-0076-5.
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). Zinc is a cofactor for more than 80 metalloenzymes involved in DNA transcription and protein synthesis. These two pathways are the major components of germ cell maturity; therefore, zinc is believed to be important for reproduction (HADWAN et al., 2013HADWAN, M.H. et al. The key role of zinc in enhancement of total antioxidant levels in spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia. American Journal of Molecular and Cellular Biology, v.2, p.52-61, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.uscip.org/paper/ajmcb/AJMCB%20-%20The%20Key%20Role%20of%20Zinc%20in%20Enhancement%20of%20Total%20Antioxidant%20Levels%20in%20Spermatozoa%20of%20Patients%20with%20Asthenozoospermia.pdf >. Accessed: Jun. 17, 2015. doi: 10.7726/ajmcb.2013.1004.
http://www.uscip.org/paper/ajmcb/AJMCB%2...
).

Enzymes with antioxidative action are present in the semen and are involved in the removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are active molecules produced during oxygen reduction, and some evidence suggests that the spermatozoa of mammals are capable of generating ROS, such as the peroxide anion (O2 -) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), during the processes of maturation and storage in the epididymis (AITKEN, 2002AITKEN, R.J. Epididymal cell types and their functions. In: ROBAIRE, B.; HINTON, B.T. (Eds.). Active oxygen in spermatozoa during epididymal transit. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2002. 558p, p.435-447.). ROS, when produced in high concentrations, lead to many deleterious effects on the function and viability of spermatozoa (CASSANI et al., 2005CASSANI, P. et al. Relationship between total superoxide dismutase activity with lipid peroxidation, dynamics and morphological parameters in canine semen., Animal Reproduction Science v.86, p.163-173, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432004001629 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.06.006.
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). ROS can induce oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins of the cellular systems and inhibit sperm movement (AITKEN, 2002AITKEN, R.J. Epididymal cell types and their functions. In: ROBAIRE, B.; HINTON, B.T. (Eds.). Active oxygen in spermatozoa during epididymal transit. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2002. 558p, p.435-447.). The production of these highly reactive metabolites is of major importance in the signal transduction pathways that control capacitation and determine how long these cells can remain in a functional and viable state as they migrate and are stored in the epididymis (AITKEN, 2002).

Therefore, spermatozoa are extremely dependent upon the antioxidant protection provided by the reproductive tract environment (ANGRIMANI et al., 2014ANGRIMANI, D.S.R. et al. Role of residual cytoplasm on oxidative status during sperm maturation in dogs. Animal Reproduction Science, v.151, p.256-261, 2014a. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037843201400339X >. Accessed: Aug. 21, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.10.023.
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a). The most important antioxidant enzyme of the mammalian semen is superoxide dismutase (SOD, CASSANI et al., 2005CASSANI, P. et al. Relationship between total superoxide dismutase activity with lipid peroxidation, dynamics and morphological parameters in canine semen., Animal Reproduction Science v.86, p.163-173, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432004001629 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.06.006.
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). Other antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) have also been identified in the canine SP (CASSANI et al., 2005CASSANI, P. et al. Relationship between total superoxide dismutase activity with lipid peroxidation, dynamics and morphological parameters in canine semen., Animal Reproduction Science v.86, p.163-173, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432004001629 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.06.006.
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; KAWAKAMI et al., 2007KAWAKAMI, E. et al. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic beagles. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, v.69, p.133-136, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/69/2/69_2_133/_article >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.69.133.
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms...
; STRZEZEK et al., 2009STRZEZEK, R. et al. Characteristics of antioxidant system in dog semen., Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences v.12, p.55-60, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafal_Strzezek2/publication/24443607Characteristicsofantioxidantsystemindogsemen/links/02bfe51374c504fe88000000.pdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015.
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafa...
; NEAGU et al., 2011NEAGU, V.R. et al. Determination of glutation peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in canine seminal plasma and its relation with sperm quality and lipid peroxidation post thaw., Theriogenology v.75, p.10-16, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X10003614 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.07.004.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
).

SOD catalyzes the dismutation of O2 - into H2O2, and in mammalian spermatozoa, this enzymatic antioxidant system protects against oxidative stress during ejaculation and the passage through the female genital tract (CASSANI et al., 2005CASSANI, P. et al. Relationship between total superoxide dismutase activity with lipid peroxidation, dynamics and morphological parameters in canine semen., Animal Reproduction Science v.86, p.163-173, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432004001629 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.06.006.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
). A higher activity of SOD was observed in oligozoospermic dogs than in normozoospermic dogs (CASSANI et al., 2005CASSANI, P. et al. Relationship between total superoxide dismutase activity with lipid peroxidation, dynamics and morphological parameters in canine semen., Animal Reproduction Science v.86, p.163-173, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432004001629 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.06.006.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
). KAWAKAMI et al. (2007KAWAKAMI, E. et al. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic beagles. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, v.69, p.133-136, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/69/2/69_2_133/_article >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.69.133.
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms...
) reported a lower activity of SOD in the semen of asthenospermic dogs than in dogs with normal sperm motility. These studies show the importance of SOD in controlling oxidative stress, which significantly affects the sperm quality of dogs. CASSANI et al. (2005CASSANI, P. et al. Relationship between total superoxide dismutase activity with lipid peroxidation, dynamics and morphological parameters in canine semen., Animal Reproduction Science v.86, p.163-173, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432004001629 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.06.006.
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) reported the SOD activity in the three fractions of canine semen and suggested that this enzyme has a protective effect against the oxidative stress in the canine spermatozoa. Subsequently, SOD activity was also demonstrated in the corpus, caput, and cauda of the canine epididymis, with no significant difference in the enzyme concentration among the three ejaculated fractions and the three epididymis segments (ANGRIMANI et al., 2014ANGRIMANI, D.S.R. et al. Sperm maturation in dogs: sperm profile and enzymatic antioxidant status in ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa. Andrologia, v.46, p.814-819, 2014b. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/and.12154/epdf >. Accessed: Aug. 21, 2015. doi: 10.1111/and.12154.
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b).

NEAGU et al. (2011NEAGU, V.R. et al. Determination of glutation peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in canine seminal plasma and its relation with sperm quality and lipid peroxidation post thaw., Theriogenology v.75, p.10-16, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X10003614 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.07.004.
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) studied the relationship between cellular damage caused by freezing and thawing semen and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the canine SP. In this study, fresh semen was added to TRIS-glucose extender and centrifuged at 700g for eight minutes. The spermatozoa pellet was frozen, and the SP was frozen/thawed for further evaluation of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes. The authors reported a positive correlation between the activity of SOD of canine SP and sperm velocities post thaw (n=20, r=0.604, P<0.01) (NEAGU et al., 2011NEAGU, V.R. et al. Determination of glutation peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in canine seminal plasma and its relation with sperm quality and lipid peroxidation post thaw., Theriogenology v.75, p.10-16, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X10003614 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.07.004.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
). KOBAYASHI et al. (2014KOBAYASHI, M. et al. Superoxide dismutase activity in the oviductal and uterine fluid of the bitch and the effects of the enzyme on viability, motility and hyperactivation of canine sperm in vitro., Journal of Veterinary Medical Science v.76, p.741-743, 2014. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4073345 />. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.13-0545.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
) evaluated the effect of SOD on in vitro spermatozoa by adding 30 unit mL-1 of SOD (Wako Pure Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) to spermatozoa in minimal essential medium (MEM). After 24h of incubation at 38ºC, the percentage of sperm viability, motility, and hyperactivation in SOD-MEM were higher than those in MEM only, showing that SOD can improve the sperm quality and/or male fertility through protection from oxidative stress (KOBAYASHI et al., 2014KOBAYASHI, M. et al. Superoxide dismutase activity in the oviductal and uterine fluid of the bitch and the effects of the enzyme on viability, motility and hyperactivation of canine sperm in vitro., Journal of Veterinary Medical Science v.76, p.741-743, 2014. Available from: <Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4073345 />. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.13-0545.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles...
).

CAT is an antioxidant enzyme with catalytic activity that converts hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. CAT was identified in the sperm fraction of normal dogs and in asthenospermic dogs at lower concentrations (KAWAKAMI et al., 2007KAWAKAMI, E. et al. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic beagles. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, v.69, p.133-136, 2007. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/69/2/69_2_133/_article >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.69.133.
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms...
). CAT was not detected in the canine SP in a study performed in 2009 (STRZEZEK et al., 2009STRZEZEK, R. et al. Characteristics of antioxidant system in dog semen., Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences v.12, p.55-60, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafal_Strzezek2/publication/24443607Characteristicsofantioxidantsystemindogsemen/links/02bfe51374c504fe88000000.pdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015.
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafa...
) However, recently, AGRIMANI et al. (2014b) reported CAT in the three ejaculated fractions but not in the segments of the canine epididymis (caput, corpus, and cauda) and suggested a primary contribution of the male accessory sex glands to the content of the seminal CAT of dogs. An in vitro study showed that the addition of 150UI ml-1 of CAT to commercial TRIS-lecithin extender during chilling (5ºC for four days) did not improve the semen quality but did increase the number of spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida of the oocyte (BECCAGLIA et al., 2009BECCAGLIA, M. et al. Tris-Lecithin extender supplemented with antioxidant catalase for chilling of canine semen. Reproduction in Domestic Animal, v.44, p.345-349, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01410.x/abstract;jsessionid=4667E0DE3CB9718AD63BF46252D6A2DE.f01t02 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01410.x.
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), demonstrating that CAT plays an important role in canine fertilization.

GPx has catalytic activity and protects cells against oxidative damage. GPx uses glutathione to reduce hydrogen peroxide, lipids peroxides, and organic hydroperoxide and thus helps protect against peroxide damage in spermatozoa lipid membranes. Similar to bulls (MOURA et al., 2010MOURA, A.A. et al. Proteomics of cauda epididymal fluid from mature Holstein bulls., Journal of Proteomics v.73, p.2006-2020, 2010. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874391910001831 >. Accessed: Aug. 23, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2010.06.005.
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), some evidence suggests that GPx is present in canine epididymal secretions (BEIGLBOCK et al., 1998BEIGLBOCK, A. et al. Dog epididymis-specific mRNA encoding secretory glutathione peroxidase-like protein., Journal of Reproduction and Fertility v.112, p.357-367, 1998. Available from: <Available from: http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/112/2/357.short >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.1120357.
http://www.reproduction-online.org/conte...
), and a greater activity of this enzyme was reported in samples collected from the cauda of the epididymis than in samples collected from the other segments (caput and corpus) and in the three ejaculated fractions. Therefore, this result indicates that the epididymis may be the main source of GPx in canine semen (ANGRIMANI et al., 2014ANGRIMANI, D.S.R. et al. Sperm maturation in dogs: sperm profile and enzymatic antioxidant status in ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa. Andrologia, v.46, p.814-819, 2014b. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/and.12154/epdf >. Accessed: Aug. 21, 2015. doi: 10.1111/and.12154.
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b). The presence of GPx in the three segments of the canine epididymis might suggest that this enzyme plays an important role in the overall process of sperm maturation (ANGRIMANI et al., 2014aANGRIMANI, D.S.R. et al. Role of residual cytoplasm on oxidative status during sperm maturation in dogs. Animal Reproduction Science, v.151, p.256-261, 2014a. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037843201400339X >. Accessed: Aug. 21, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.10.023.
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). GPx has an enzymatic activity in the canine SP of 3.98±0.29U ml-1 (STRZEZEK et al., 2009STRZEZEK, R. et al. Characteristics of antioxidant system in dog semen., Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences v.12, p.55-60, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafal_Strzezek2/publication/24443607Characteristicsofantioxidantsystemindogsemen/links/02bfe51374c504fe88000000.pdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015.
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); it is negatively correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with linear motility (n=20, r=-0.679, P<0.05) (NEAGU et al., 2011NEAGU, V.R. et al. Determination of glutation peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in canine seminal plasma and its relation with sperm quality and lipid peroxidation post thaw., Theriogenology v.75, p.10-16, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X10003614 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.07.004.
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) and positively correlated with percentage of spermatozoa with an intact acrosome membrane (r=0.49, P=0.02) (ANGRIMANI et al., 2014aANGRIMANI, D.S.R. et al. Role of residual cytoplasm on oxidative status during sperm maturation in dogs. Animal Reproduction Science, v.151, p.256-261, 2014a. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037843201400339X >. Accessed: Aug. 21, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.10.023.
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).

Other proteins strongly bind to the spermatozoa plasma membrane such as lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein (ROBERTS & BOURSNELL, 1975ROBERTS, T.K.; BOURSNELL, J.C. The isolation and characterization of lactoferrin from sow milk and boar seminal plasma. Journal Reproduction and Fertility, v.42, p.579-582, 1975. Available from: <Available from: http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/42/3/579.full.pdf+html >. Accessed: Jun. 17, 2015. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0420579.
http://www.reproduction-online.org/conte...
). This protein has a molecular weight of 75.2kDa and was identified and purified in the SP of healthy dogs. Its average concentration was 77±59µg mL-1, and it showed a significant positive correlation with the sperm concentration (r=0.7025, P<0.01) (KIKUCHI et al., 2003KIKUCHI, M. et al. Seminal plasma lactoferrin but not transferrin reflects gonadal function in dogs., Journal of Veterinary Medical Science v.65, p.679-684, 2003. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms/65/6/65_6_679/_article >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1292/jvms.65.679.
http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jvms...
). The origin of lactoferrin in canine SP has not been determined.

The latent and active forms of the matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (MMP-2 and MMP-9) have also been identified in canine SP (SAENGSOI et al., 2011SAENGSOI, W. et al. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in canine seminal plasma., Animal Reproduction Science v.127, p.114-119, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432011001795 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.07.004.
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). These proteolytic enzymes may be associated to the cleavage of protein components of the extracellular matrix or the cytoplasm of spermatozoa, in addition to contribute to the remodeling of the basal membrane during the development of seminiferous tubules and subsequent release of differentiated stem cells. According to SAENGSOI et al. (2011SAENGSOI, W. et al. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in canine seminal plasma., Animal Reproduction Science v.127, p.114-119, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432011001795 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.07.004.
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), MMPs may be involved in the process of sperm apoptosis. The enzymes pro-MMP-9, MMP-9, pro-MMP-2, and MMP-2 exhibit molecular weights of 92, 80, 72, and 62kDa, respectively. In a study by SAENGSOI et al. (2011SAENGSOI, W. et al. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in canine seminal plasma., Animal Reproduction Science v.127, p.114-119, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432011001795 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.07.004.
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), the activity of latent and active MMP-9 was higher in poor-quality semen, suggesting that active pro-MMP-9 and MMP-9 contribute to semen alterations, because high levels of pro-MMP-9 and MMP-9 may be derived from abnormal spermatogenesis. The enzymes pro-MMP-2 and MMP-2 were negatively and positively correlated with sperm quality, respectively. Considering these results, the authors suggest that these enzymes can be used as potential indicators of sperm functionality (SAENGSOI et al., 2011SAENGSOI, W. et al. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in canine seminal plasma., Animal Reproduction Science v.127, p.114-119, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378432011001795 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.07.004.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...
).

Many proteins and enzymes are unbound in the SP; however, these molecules may be present in small extracellular membrane-bound vesicles produced by epithelial cells lining the prostatic acini called prostasomes (BURDEN et al., 2006BURDEN, H.P. et al. Prostasomes - their effects on human male reproduction and fertility. Human Reproduction Update, v.12, n.3, p.283-292, 2006. Available from: <Available from: http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/3/283.long >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmi052.
http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/content...
). These vesicles were identified in the canine SP by transmission electron microscopy (ZELLI et al., 2013ZELLI, R. et al. Ultrastructural and enzymatic activity of membranous vesicles isolated from canine seminal plasma. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.48, p.252-257, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rda.12083/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/rda.12083.
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), have a spherical shape with different sizes and a mean diameter of 117.6±86.9nm, and are surrounded by single-, double-, or multiple layered laminar membranes. According to ZELLI et al. (2013ZELLI, R. et al. Ultrastructural and enzymatic activity of membranous vesicles isolated from canine seminal plasma. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.48, p.252-257, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rda.12083/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/rda.12083.
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), the enzymes adenosine-deaminase, 5' nucleotidase, ADPase, ATPase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase are responsible for the enzymatic activity of the canine prostasomes SP. However, more studies are needed to determine the exact location where the prostasomes are produced in the genital tract of male dogs and to determine their functions in canine reproductive processes (ZELLI et al., 2013ZELLI, R. et al. Ultrastructural and enzymatic activity of membranous vesicles isolated from canine seminal plasma. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.48, p.252-257, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rda.12083/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/rda.12083.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.11...
).

Proteins of the canine SP as biomarkers of reproductive tract diseases

Despite the anatomical and histological differences between the prostates of dogs and humans (LOWSETH et al., 1990LOWSETH, L.A. et al. Age-related changes in the prostate and testes of the Beagle dog. Veterinary Pathology, v.27, p.347-353, 1990. Available from: <Available from: http://vet.sagepub.com/content/27/5/347.full.pdf+html >. Accessed: Jun. 17, 2015. doi: 10.1177/030098589002700507.
http://vet.sagepub.com/content/27/5/347....
), dogs are considered the experimental model of choice for humans and endangered species (KIRCHHOFF, 2002KIRCHHOFF, C. The dog as a model to study human epi- didymal function at a molecular level. Molecular Human Reproduction, v.8, p.695-701, 2002. Available from: <Available from: http://molehr.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/8/695.full.pdf+html >. Accessed: Aug. 22, 2015. doi: 10.1093/molehr/8.8.695.
http://molehr.oxfordjournals.org/content...
; THOMASSEN & FARSTAD, 2009THOMASSEN, R.; FARSTAD, W. Artificial insemination in canids: a useful tool in breeding and conservation., Theriogenology v.71, p.190-199, 2009. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X08006481 >. Accessed: Aug. 22, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.09.007.
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) for several reasons including their easy accessibility (ROWELL et al., 2011ROWELL, J.L. et al. Dog models of naturally occurring cancer. Trends in Molecular Medicine, v.17, p.380-388, 2011. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471491411000438 >. Accessed: Jun. 16, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.02.004.
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) and large phenotypic diversity (STARKEY et al., 2005STARKEY, M.P. et al. Dogs really are man's best friend - Canine genomics has applications in veterinary and human medicine! Briefings in Functional Genomics and Proteomics, v.4, p.112-128, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://bfg.oxfordjournals.org/content/4/2/112.full.pdf+html >. Accessed: Aug. 22, 2015. doi: 10.1093/bfgp/4.2.112.
http://bfg.oxfordjournals.org/content/4/...
).

Studies to determine the protein composition of canine SP can provide a better understanding of some aspects of prostate diseases as well as assist in producing treatments that are more effective. The use of molecular biomarkers has been studied to assist the early diagnosis of prostate pathologies in dogs, but these methods are not yet routinely available (MUSSEL et al., 2010MUSSEL, C. et al. Canine prostatic diseases: diagnosis methods., Ciência Rural v.40, p.2616-2622, 2010. Available from: <Available from: http://www.cbra.org.br/pages/publicacoes/rbra/v35n4/pag456-466.pdf >. Accessed: Jun. 17, 2015. doi: 10.1590/S0103-84782010001200029.
http://www.cbra.org.br/pages/publicacoes...
). Furthermore, studies of canine reproduction contribute to the physiological knowledge of other species, which can enable the development of new biotechnologies and facilitate the treatment of diseases related to sperm maturation (MA et al., 2013MA, L. et al. Spink13, an epididymis-specific gene of the Kazal-type serine pro- tease inhibitor (SPINK) family, is essential for the acrosomal integrity and male fertility., Journal of Biological Chemistry v.288, p.10154-10165, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jbc.org/content/288/14/10154.full.pdf+html >. Accessed: Aug. 22, 2015. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.445866.
http://www.jbc.org/content/288/14/10154....
).

Canine prostatic arginine esterase (CPSE) is a protein that belongs to the kallikrein group and is androgen dependent (CHAPDELAINE et al., 1984CHAPDELAINE, P. et al. Identification of arginine esterase as the major androgen-dependent protein secreted by dog prostate and preliminary molecular characterization in seminal plasma. Journal of Andrology, v.5, p.206-210, 1984. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1939-4640.1984.tb02395.x/abstract >. Accessed: Jun. 17, 2015. doi: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.1984.tb02395.x.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.10...
). This is the most abundant protein in the canine SP (approximately 10mg/mL) (DUBÉ, 1994DUBÉ, J.Y. Prostatic kallikreins: biochemistry and physiology. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology, v.107, n.1, p.13-20, 1994. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/1367828094900043?np=y >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/1367-8280(94)90004-3.
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), and it has previously been used for the diagnosis of canine prostatic hyperplasia (SAGOLS & NAVARO, 2013SAGOLS, E.; NAVARRO, C. Follow up of CPSE concentrations after Osaterone treatment in dogs. In: EVSSA CONGRESS. Reproduction and Pediatrics in Dogs, Cats and Exotics, 16., 2013, Toulouse, France. Proceedings... Tolouse: EVSSA, 2013. 184p, p.169.). Despite the strict specificity of CPSE for trypsin and its preference for synthetic substrates containing arginine, the in vivo significance of its proteolytic activity in dogs is still unknown.

The role of CPSE in the canine SP has not been fully elucidated. One study suggests that CPSE can bind to the canine spermatozoa and catalyze the cleavage of proteins of the plasma membrane surface (ISAACS & COFFEY, 1984ISAACS, W.B.; COFFEY, D.S. The predominant protein of canine seminal plasma is an enzyme. Journal of Biological Chemistry, v.259, n.18, p.11520-11526, 1984. Available from: <Available from: http://www.jbc.org/content/259/18/11520.long >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015.
http://www.jbc.org/content/259/18/11520....
). It is also possible that CPSE is responsible for the hydrolysis of cervical mucus and participates in the regulation of sperm motility in the uterus (DUBÉ, 1994DUBÉ, J.Y. Prostatic kallikreins: biochemistry and physiology. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology, v.107, n.1, p.13-20, 1994. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/1367828094900043?np=y >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/1367-8280(94)90004-3.
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).

Although CPSE and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker of prostate tumors in humans, belong to the same protein family, studies have demonstrated that the CPSE concentration is higher in the serum of dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia and could be used as a promising tool for the diagnosis of non-neoplastic canine prostatic disorders (GOBELLO et al., 2002GOBELLO, C. et al. Serum and seminal markers in the diagnosis of disorders of the genital tract of the dog: a mini-review., Theriogenology v.57, p.1285-1291, 2002. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X02006283 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00628-3.
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).

Alkaline phosphatase is secreted in the epididymis and not in the prostate, as previously reported (FRENETTE et al., 1986FRENETTE, G. et al. Proteolytic activity of arginine esterase from dog seminal plasma towards actin and other structural proteins. Comparison with trypsin and kallikrein. International Journal of Biochemistry, v.18, n.8, p.697-703, 1986. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0020711X86903927 >. Accessed: Jun. 09, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0020-711X(86)90392-7.
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). KUTZLER (2005KUTZLER, M.A. Semen collection in the dog., Theriogenology v.64, p.747-754, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X0500186X >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.023.
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) identified the activity of seminal alkaline phosphatase in the epithelial cells of the caput, corpus, and cauda of the epididymis as well as in the seminiferous tubules. Alkaline phosphatase is a dephosphorylation enzyme present in various organs, including the liver. Although the activity of alkaline phosphatase in the semen has was not been fully established yet (KUTZLER, 2005KUTZLER, M.A. Semen collection in the dog., Theriogenology v.64, p.747-754, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X0500186X >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.023.
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), it is believed that this enzyme is involved in the sperm glycolytic pathway and fructose formation (MANN, 1964MANN, T. Biochemistry of semen and of the male reproductive tract. London: Methuen, 1964. 493p, p.329-390.). In fact, alkaline phosphatase, in alkaline pH, acts by catalyzing the hydrolysis of monophosphate esters such as fructose 1-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, and fructose 1,6-diphosphate (TESKE et al., 1986TESKE, E. et al. Separation and heat stability of the corticosteroid-induced and hepatic alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in canine plasma. Journal of Cromatography, v.369, p.349-356, 1986. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967300901419?np=y >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9673(00)90141-9.
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; KUTZLER, 2005KUTZLER, M.A. Semen collection in the dog., Theriogenology v.64, p.747-754, 2005. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X0500186X >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.023.
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). Measurement of the enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase in the canine SP has been used for the diagnosis of incomplete ejaculation or azoospermia in dogs (SCHAFER-SOMI et al., 2013SCHAFER-SOMI, S. et al. Measurement of alkaline phosphatase in canine seminal plasma - an update. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.48, p. e10-12, 2013. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02025.x/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02025.x.
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), and a reduced concentration of alkaline phosphatase in the SP suggests bilateral obstruction of the vas deferens or epididymis (GOBELLO et al., 2002GOBELLO, C. et al. Serum and seminal markers in the diagnosis of disorders of the genital tract of the dog: a mini-review., Theriogenology v.57, p.1285-1291, 2002. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X02006283 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00628-3.
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).

While the role of acid phosphatase in the SP has not been fully elucidated, the phosphorylcholine degradation and subsequent release of phosphorous may be the main physiological activity of this enzyme (MANN, 1964MANN, T. Biochemistry of semen and of the male reproductive tract. London: Methuen, 1964. 493p, p.329-390.). Although prostatic acid phosphatase and PSA are routinely used as prostatic markers for monitoring prostate carcinoma recurrence in humans, studies of these markers in dogs are still controversial (GOBELLO et al., 2002GOBELLO, C. et al. Serum and seminal markers in the diagnosis of disorders of the genital tract of the dog: a mini-review., Theriogenology v.57, p.1285-1291, 2002. Available from: <Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093691X02006283 >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00628-3.
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).

Prolactin, a hormone synthesized and secreted by lactotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland, was also identified in the prostatic fluid and can be related to the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs because it can induce abnormal prostate growth. A slight increase in the prolactin concentration was detected in the prostatic fluid of older dogs diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (WOLF et al., 2012WOLF, K. et al. Testicular steroids, prolactin, relaxin and prostate gland markers in peripheral blood and seminal plasma of normal dogs and dogs with prostatic hyperplasia. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, v.47, p.243-246, 2012. Available from: <Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rda.12083/epdf >. Accessed: Jun. 12, 2015. doi: 10.1111/rda.12083.
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). An overview about the proteins of the canine SP and their functions can be seen on table 1.

Table 1
Proteins of the canine seminal plasma and their functions.

CONCLUSION

The SP proteins have been the subject of numerous studies in several species of domestic animals. There is sufficient experimental evidence of their function regarding sperm capacitation, the acrosome reaction, oxidative processes, reactions of the female immune system, interaction with the epithelium of the uterine tube, and fertilization.

Dogs are the best experimental model for comparative studies with humans due to the similarity of their respective accessory sex glands and prostate growth. In addition, studies on canine SP components provide information that enables the understanding of sperm function and the reproductive tract of wild species of the same family, such as wolves, coyotes, and others. At all of these levels, detailed studies on the composition of canine SP and its specific biological function are still needed. Such molecules, in both animals and humans, are potential candidates for fertility markers as well as markers of pathophysiological processes.

REFERENCES:

  • 1
    CR-2015-0972.R1

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    May 2016

History

  • Received
    03 July 2015
  • Accepted
    26 Oct 2015
  • Reviewed
    03 Feb 2016
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