Detection of Protein Biomarkers Relevant to Sperm Characteristics and Fertility in Semen in Three Wild Felidae: The Flat-Headed Cat

• Published in: Animals (Basel) Vol. 14; no. 7
• Main Authors: Wittayarat, Manita, Kiatsomboon, Supalak, Kupthammasan, Navapol, Tipkantha, Wanlaya, Yimprasert, Surasak, Thongphakdee, Ampika, Panyaboriban, Saritvich
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Biological markers; Fishing; Photographic industry; Scientific equipment and supplies industry; Spermatozoa; Wildlife conservation; Southeast Asia; Thailand; United States; Japan
• ISSN: 2076-2615; 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani14071027

In Thailand, the flat-headed cat, fishing cat, and Asiatic golden cat are among nine wild Felidae species requiring urgent conservation efforts. This study assessed routine sperm characteristics and detected protein biomarkers related to fertilization in these species. IZUMO1, involved in gamete interaction, showed the highest levels in the flat-headed cat. CRISP2 and CRISP3, crucial for sperm–egg fusion, had the highest levels in the fishing cat. Cleaved caspase-3, linked to DNA fragmentation, was found in all species and associated with decreased semen quality. These findings suggest that analyzing these biomarkers, alongside routine sperm characteristics, could enhance breeding management for wild Felidae, especially the flat-headed and fishing cats. Effective wild cat conservation programs with assisted reproductive technologies are being developed in different parts of the world. The flat-headed cat, fishing cat, and Asiatic golden cat are three species among nine wild Felidae in Thailand that are in need of urgent conservation efforts. Here, we assessed routine sperm characteristics and we report the detection of protein biomarkers related to the fertilization process, IZUMO1 and the CRISP family, and apoptotic markers, active or cleaved caspase-3, in semen samples collected from these wild cats. IZUMO1 was located in the equatorial segment of the sperm head, which is the region involved in gamete interaction. The highest levels of IZUMO1 were found in both the sperm pellet and the seminal plasma of the flat-headed cat, as determined by immunoblotting. CRISP2, a sperm–egg fusion assisting protein, and CRISP3 were found in both the sperm pellet and the seminal plasma, and the highest levels were observed in the fishing cat. Positive correlations between certain semen parameters and IZUMO1, CRISP2, and CRISP3 expression were also demonstrated. Cleaved caspase-3 was found in all sperm samples in all three species and was associated with an increase in DNA fragmentation and a decrease in certain semen characteristics such as motility, viability, and intact acrosomes. Our results suggest that the analysis of IZUMO1, the CRISP family, and cleaved caspase-3, along with the routine sperm characteristics, may allow for better success in breeding management in wild Felidae, particularly in the flat-headed cat and the fishing cat.