327. EMU SEMINAL PLASMA PROTEINS AND BETWEEN-MALE VARIATION
A. Tawang A , I. A. Malecki A , J. Cummins B and G. B. Martin AA Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
B School of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(9) 127-127 https://doi.org/10.1071/SRB10Abs327
Published: 6 September 2010
Abstract
Seminal plasma proteins may have a few functions in semen but their role in the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) has not been studied. We used ejaculates of six males collected during the peak of the breeding season to determine the protein make up of their seminal plasma. Following collection and sperm analysis semen was centrifuged to separate the sperm from seminal plasma. The concentration of proteins in seminal plasma was estimated and 20 µg/mL was found optimal for one-dimensional electrophoresis. Samples were separated with SDS-PAGE, using 12.5% polyacrylamide gel and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue. Molecular weights and density of individual bands were estimated by 1D Total Lab gel analysis software. We identified 12 protein bands although they were not present in every male. One male was found to contain 12, one 10, three males had 9 bands and one had only 8 bands. Protein bands were in the range from 135 kDa to 7 kDa. Four bands (108–91 kDa, 67–78, 29–36 and 7 kDa) were found in all males. The 10 kDa band was present in all but one male. The intensity of those bands was similar between males except for one male with 29–36 kDa band that had less intensity. Further investigation is under way to further characterize those proteins and their relationship to ejaculate quality.
