Service offer – ProAKAP4 biomarker analysis
We offer you to measure in camel semen, the first biomarker of the quality and functionality of spermatozoa.
Service offer description
SPQI (Quality and Innovative Services and Products) is an expert company in the discovery, qualitative and quantitative analysis of innovative protein biomarkers related to sperm quality in humans and in animals. These biomarkers have been identified in the “Hauts-de-France” region by the Reproduction Research Center of Lille (France).
An innovative solution for the analysis of camel semen quality and sperm functionality.
Characteristics of the service
Our highly qualified scientific experts offer camel semen analysis with:
- Use of the only relevant biomarker of semen quality
- Results within 48 hours after receiving the semen
- Reliable, objective and robust analysis
- An additional to the spermogram
Advantages of the biomarker assay
The biomarker assay provides you:
- Objective information on semen quality
- Qualification of each breeding male and their ejaculates
- Pertinent parameter to improve sperm cryopreservation
- A functional indicator correlated to fertility index

Overview
The Camel 4MID® Kit as the first validated test of sperm quality and fertility
The Camel 4MID® Kit detect and quantify the proAKAP4 protein in semen (raw, diluted, fresh, chilled or frozen).
ProAKAP4 is the first innovative biomarker of semen quality, being a reflect of the good maturation of spermatozoa (Cui et al., 2016; Sergeant et al., 2019).
ProAKAP4 is the precursor of AKAP4 that is playing a key role in flagellar structure, capacitation and sperm motility (Luconi et al., 2011 ; Turner et al., 2005). The AKAP4 gene is located on chromosome X (Sergeant et al., 2016). The precursor proAKAP4 is processed to a “mature” AKAP4 protein that will be active.
Spermatozoa without proAKAP4 / AKAP4 are abnormal, immotile and infertile (Miki et al., 2002 ; Fang et al., 2019). Also, oxidative stress decrease proAKAP4 concentration on spermatozoa (Hamada et al., 2013; Nixon et al., 2019)
Sperm from high fertility males have higher expression of proAKAP4 than low fertility males (Peddinti et al., 2008; Ruelle et al., 2019; Sergeant et al., 2019; Singh et al., 2019; Fu et al., 2019)
The concentration of proAKAP4 biomarker measured with the 4MID® Kit is a good indicator of sperm quality and of how the spermatozoa can keep its motility high and efficient up to fecundation.
References
- Griffin et al. (2020). Reproduction. Vol. 20: 0284
- Delehedde et al. (2019) Int J Gynecol and Reprod Sci. 2(1): 13-19
- Nixon et al. (2019) Front Cell Dev Biol 7(319): 1-18
- Delehedde et al. (2018) Reproduction Science. Vol. 194:24
- Dewulf et al. (2019) Dairy Vet. Sci. J. Vol. 13(3):1-7.
- Fang et al. (2019) Developmental Biology. Vol. 454(2):118-127
- Miki et al. (2002) Developmental Biology. Vol. 248: 331-342
- Sergeant et al. (2019) Dairy Vet. Sci. J. 11(1): 803-811
- Ugarelli et al. (2018) Animal Reproduction Science. Vol. 194:12-3

Contact our specialists for a request of quotation or any questions relating to the set up of a biomarker analysis of the quality of the semen through our contact form.