Browsing by Subject "Metabolites"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of pig seminal plasma reveals intra-ejaculate variation in metabolites
    (MDPI, 2020-06-15) Mateo Otero, Yentel; Fernández-López, Pol; Gil-Caballero, Sergi; Fernandez-Fuertes, Beatriz; Bonet, Sergi; Barranco Cascales, Isabel; Yeste, Marc; Medicina y Cirugía Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    In pigs, ejaculate is expelled in fractions, mainly the sperm-rich fraction (SRF) and the post-SRF (PSRF), which differ in both sperm content and origin. In addition, intra-ejaculate variability between fractions in terms of sperm reproductive characteristics has been previously reported, the highest sperm quality being observed in the first 10 mL of the SRF (SRF-P1). As seminal plasma (SP) composition has been purported to influence sperm physiology, the aim of this study was to profile pig SP metabolite composition and to find putative differences between the ejaculate portions (SRF-P1, the rest of SRF [SRF-P2], PSRF) and entire ejaculate (EE). To this end, ejaculates (n = 8, one per boar) were collected in fractions and SP was analyzed using 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. We identified 19 metabolites present in all ejaculate portions and the EE, and reported correlations between the metabolites. Additionally, and for the first time in mammals, we found intra-ejaculate variability in the SP metabolites, observing different relative abundances in choline, glycerophosphocholine and glycine. Regarding their influence in sperm physiology, we hypothesize that these metabolites may explain the specific reproductive characteristics of each ejaculate portion. Finally, the reported SP metabolites could serve as a first steppingstone in the study of quality, functionality, and fertility biomarkers.
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    Effects of Posidonia oceanica banquettes on intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and metabolic profiles in sheep
    (Wiley; Society of Chemical Industry, 2017) Castillo, Cristina; Hernández, Joaquín; Sotillo Mesanza, Juan; Gutiérrez, Cándido; Montes, Ana; Ruiz Mantecón, Ángel; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    BACKGROUND: Themarine plant Posidonia oceanica (L.) (PO) has been demonstrated in goats to be a source of fibre. The aim of the present studywas to assess the effects of introducing thismarine plant as a substitute for barley strawin the feed of mature ewes, assessing the effects of its addition on intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation and on the ewes’ metabolic profiles (energy and protein). POwas used at 75 g day−1 per ewe (15% of the total forage), 150 g day−1 per ewe (30% of the total forage) and 300 g day−1 per ewe (60% of the total forage). RESULTS: Substitution of 15% of the forage with PO has no negative consequences on dry matter intake, final live weight and metabolic status in mature ewes; in addition, POmay improve the animal’s nitrogen utilisation. The upper limit of substitution was 30%,where only fewchangeswere noted withoutmetabolic consequences. Substitution of 60% impaired performance and affects tissue functions in the animal’s body. CONCLUSION: Moderate quantities of barley straw (between 75 and 150 g day−1 per ewe) can be replaced by PO in feed rations formature ewes.
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    Metabolite Profiling of Pig Seminal Plasma Identifies Potential Biomarkers for Sperm Resilience to Liquid Preservation
    (Frontiers Media, 2021-05-28) Mateo-Otero, Yentel; Fernández-López, Pol; Ribas-Maynou, Jordi; Roca, Jordi; Miró, Jordi; Yeste, Marc; Barranco, Isabel; Medicina y Cirugía Animal
    Metabolomic approaches allow the study of downstream gene expression events since metabolites are considered as the products of cell signaling pathways. For this reason, many studies in humans have already been conducted to determine the influence of the metabolites present in seminal plasma (SP) on sperm physiology, and to identify putative biomarkers. However, in livestock species, these relationships are yet to be uncovered. Thus, the present study aimed to explore: (i) if concentrations of metabolites in pig SP are related to sperm quality and functionality, and (ii) if they could predict the sperm resilience to liquid storage at 17°C. To this end, 28 ejaculates were individually collected and split into three aliquots: one was used for SP analysis through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; another served for the evaluation of sperm concentration and morphology; and the last one was utilized to determine sperm functionality parameters using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry after 0 h and 72 h of liquid-storage at 17°C. NMR analysis allowed the identification and quantification of 23 metabolites present in pig SP which, except for fumarate, were not observed to follow a breed-dependent behavior. Moreover, specific relationships between metabolites and sperm variables were identified: (i) glutamate, methanol, trimethylamine N-oxide, carnitine, and isoleucine were seen to be related to some sperm quality and functionality parameters evaluated immediately after semen collection; (ii) leucine, hypotaurine, carnitine and isoleucine were found to be associated to the sperm ability to withstand liquid storage; and (iii) Bayesian multiple regression models allowed the identification of metabolite patterns for specific sperm parameters at both 0 h and 72 h. The identification of these relationships opens up the possibility of further investigating these metabolites as potential sperm functional biomarkers.