25th Annual Student Research Conference
Effect of Time and Temperature on Sperm Binding to Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMNs)
Jordan E. Powell
Dr. Abdo Alghamdi, Faculty Mentor
Equine seminal plasma (SP) contains immunosuppressive proteins that inhibit the binding of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to sperm. This is critical for overcoming the female immune response to insemination. Because sperm lose some surface molecules and acquire others after ejaculation, we hypothesized that incubating sperm in SP under different durations and temperatures may alter protein profile and the effect of SP on sperm-PMN binding. Fresh equine semen was incubated under varying temperatures and durations before removing and freezing SP samples. These SP samples were later incubated with freshly isolated sperm and PMNs and their binding was determined by light microscopy. While temperature did not appear to affect the binding, the duration of sperm incubation in SP may alter protein function. The small sample size prohibits a decisive conclusion, but results indicate the experiment is worth expansion and replication, and that immunosuppressive proteins may lose their functionality with increased incubation time.
Keywords: Agriculture, Reproduction, Immunology, PMN, Neutrophils, Sperm
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 100-1
Location: Georgian Room - SUB
Time: 3:30