ProAKAP4 analysis – Service offer
We and our lab partners can perform the proAKAP4 analysis using the Camel 4MID Kit for you !
The proAKAP4 is the first functional marker of the quality and functionality of spermatozoa in camels.
Complete list of our lab partners worldwide upon request.
ProAKAP4 Analysis Description
In France, you may also contact directly le LNCR (Larboratoire National de Contrôle des Reproducteurs) at contact@lncr.org
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.
An innovative solution for the analysis of camel semen quality and sperm functionality.
Characteristics of the proAKAP4 Analysis
Quantification of proAKAP4 in semen brings a new dimension in semen quality assessments !
This is the only functional approach of semen quality !
- Analysis can be performed on fresh, chilled or frozen semen in extenders
- Reliable, objective and robust approach of semen quality
- Independant value of male fertility
- An additional information to the spermogram
Advantages of the proAKAP4 analysis
The quantification of proAKAP4 using the Camel 4MID Kit will provide:
- Objective information on semen quality
- Qualification of each breeding male and their ejaculates
- Indication of IF and HOW long spermatozoa will be motile and fertile
- Pertinent parameter to improve sperm cryopreservation
- Pertinent parameter to select appropriate extender
- A functional indicator correlated to male fertility
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
- Carracedo S, Briand-Amirat L, Dordas-Perpinyà M, Ramos Escuredo Y, Delcombel R, Sergeant N and Delehedde M (2022) ProAKAP4 protein marker: towards a functional approach to male fertility. Animal Reproduction Science. In Press.Dordas-Perpinyà M, Sergeant N, Ruelle I, Bruyas JF, Charreaux C, Michaud S, Carracedo S, Catalán J, Miró J, Delehedde M and Briand-Amirat L (2022) ProAKAP4 semen concentrations as a valuable marker protein of post-thawed semen quality and bull fertility: a retrospective study. Veterinary Sciences. Vol. 9 :224. https://doi.org/10.3390/
vetsci9050224 - Kowalczyk A, Gałeska E and Bubel A (2022) The Concentration of ProAKAP4 and Other Indicators of Cryopotential of Spermatozoa Cryopreserved in Extender with Holothuroidea Extract Addition. Animals. Vol. 12:521. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ani12040521
- Blommaert D, Sergeant N, Delehedde M, Donnay I, Lejeune JP, Franck T and Serteyn D (2021) First results about ProAKAP4 concentration in stallion semen after cryopreservation in two different freezing media. Cryobiology. Vol. 102:133-135.
- Malo C, Carracedo S, Delehedde M, Sergeant N and Skidmore L (2021) Identification of PROAKAP4 in Dromedary sperm and their correlation with monthly semen parameters. Reproduction & Fertility. Vol.2(4):268-279.
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Moretti E, Scapigliati G, Pascarelli NA, Baccetti B and Collodel G (2007) Localization of AKAP4 and tubulin proteins in sperm with reduced motility. Asian Journal of Andrology. Vol. 9:641-649.
- Bastan and Akcay (2021) Quality assessment of frozen bull semen with the precursor A-kinase anchor protein 4 biomarker. Andrologia e14164.
- Blommaert et al. (2021) ProAKAP4 concentration in stallion semen after cryopreservation in two different freezing media. Cryobiology.
- Riesco et al. (2020) ProAKAP4 as Novel Molecular Marker of Sperm Quality in Ram: An Integrative Study in Fresh, Cooled and Cryopreserved Sperm. Biomolecules. 10(7):1046.
- Ruelle et al. (2020) ProAKAP4 concentrations in semen as a predictive tool of bull fertility: A preliminary study. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 32(1):145
- Carracedo et al. (2020) The sperm specific proAKAP4 polypeptide exhibited conserved functions, localizations and metabolism among mammals. Animal Reproduction Science. Vol. 220 :106448
- Griffin et al. (2020) Mass spectrometry reveals distinct proteomic profiles in high- and low-quality stallion spermatozoa. Reproduction. 160(5):695-707.
- Fang et al. (2019) Proteomics and single-cell RNA analysis of Akap4-knockout mice model confirm indispensable role of Akap4 in spermatogenesis. Developmental Biology. 454(2):118-127.
- Blommaert et al. (2019a) The Horse 4MID® Kit as a promising tool to compare different freezing media to preserve stallion semen. Rev. Bras. Reprod. Anim. Vol 43(2):585.
- Blommaert et al. (2019b) Expression, localization, and concentration of A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) and its precursor (proAKAP4) in equine semen: promising marker correlated to the total and progressive motility in thawed spermatozoa. Theriogenology. Vol. 131:52-60.
- Delehedde et al. (2019) ProAKAP4 polypeptide as a biomarker of sperm functionality and male fertility disorders. Int J Gynecol and Reprod Sci. Vol. 2(1):13-19.
- Delehedde et al (2019b) ProAKAP4 concentrations as an indicator of good spermatogenesis and sperm quality under oxidative stress conditions. Andrology. Vol. 7(1):86.
- Nixon et al. (2019b) A Kinase Anchor Protein 4 is vulnerable to oxidative adduction in male germ cells. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology – Vol. 7:319.
- Sergeant et al (2019) The sperm specific protein proAKAP4 as an innovative marker to evaluate sperm quality and fertility. Journal of Dairy & Veterinary Sciences. Vol. 11:01-19.
- Ugarelli et al. (2018) Identification of six genes related to fertility in alpacas. Animal Reproduction Science. Vol. 194:12-3.
- Luconi et al. (2011) Role of A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) in reproduction. Frontiers in Bioscience. Vol. 16:1315-1330.
- Hu et al (2009) A-kinase anchoring protein 4 has a conserved role in mammalian spermatogenesis. Reproduction. Vol. 137:645-653.
- Peddinti et al. (2008) Comprehensive proteomic analysis of bovine spermatozoa of varying fertility rates and identification of biomarkers associated with fertility. BMC Systems Biology. Vol. (2)19:1-13.
- Moretti et al. (2007) Localization of AKAP4 and tubulin proteins in sperm with reduced motility. Asian Journal of Andrology. Vol. 9:641-649.
- Miki et al. (2002) Developmental Biology. Vol. 248: 331-342
Complete list of scientific references about proAKAP4/AKAP4 system in male fertility upon request!
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.
