Assay Service – Semen Analysis using the Pig 4MID® Kit
We can measure the first biomarker of the quality and functionality of spermatozoa called proAKAP4, using the Pig 4MID® Kit.
Assay Service Description
If you are not familiar with laboratory tests, do not hesitate to contact us at contact@4biodx-breeding.com to set up a trial analysis of your samples.
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 using the Pig 4MID® Kit.
The Pig 4MID® assay: an innovative solution for the analysis of semen quality and sperm functionality, related to fertility and prolificity.
Characteristics of the service
Our highly qualified scientific experts offer pig semen analysis with the Pig 4MID® kit:
- Use of the only relevant biomarker of semen quality
- Results within 48 hours
- Reliable, objective and robust analysis
- An additional test to the spermogram
Advantages of the Pig 4MID® assay
The Pig 4MID® assay provides you:
- Objective information on semen quality
- Qualification of each breeding male
- Qualification of each ejaculate
- Traceability in the quality of the semen throughout all the life of the animal
- A functional indicator correlated to fertility and prolificity
Overview
The Pig 4MID® Kit as the first validated test of sperm quality and fertility
The Pig 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 Pig 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
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- 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. Vol 247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107074
- 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
- Xu et al. (2021) Comparative proteomics and phosphoproteomics analysis reveal the possible breed difference in Yorkshire and duroc boar spermatozoa. Front Cell Dev Biol. Vol. 9:652809.
- 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. 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.
- Sergeant et al (2020) Assessment of the proAKAP4 concentrations as a pertinent sperm parameter to select extenders and preservatives of stallion semen. Animal Reproduction Science. Vol. 220 :106449.
- 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. (2019) 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.
- Li et al. (2018) Quantitative proteomic profiling indicates the difference in reproductive efficiency between Meishan and Duroc boar spermatozoa. Theriogenology. Vol. 116:71-82.
- Teijeiro JM and Marini PE (2012) The effect of oviductal deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 over porcine sperm is mediated by a signal transduction pathway that involves pro-AKAP4 phosphorylation. Reproduction. Vol. 143:773-785.
- 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) Targeted disruption of the AKAP4 gene causes defects in sperm flagellum and motility. Developmental Biology. Vol. 248:331-342.
Complete list of publications upon request at contact@4biodx.com
Contact our specialists for a request of quotation or any questions relating to the set up of proAKAP4 analysis of the semen (fresh, chilled or frozen semen in extenders). We have lab partners worldwide (complete list upon request).
