Abstract:

【Objective】 The aim of current study is to investigate the spatial and temporal expression profiles of several sperm-associated antigen genes (SPAG, SPAG5, SPAG6, SPAG11C and SPAG11E) in the genital tracts and mature sperm of Meishan boars and gilts. 【Method】 The RT-PCR technique was used to detect the spatial expression patterns of these genes in genital tracts and sperm, while semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to examine the temporal expression of each gene in testis. 【Result】 Five genes presented different expression patterns in the genital tracts of Meishan boars and gilts, and SPAG1 gene expression was the highest in testis, moderate in seminal vesicle, prostate, corpus epididymis, uterine horn and oviduct, weak in cauda epididymis, cervix and ovary. SPAG5 expressed mainly in testis and weakly in prostate, corpus epididymis and cervix. While the expression of SPAG6 was the highest in testis, moderate in oviduct and weak in uterine horn. SPAG11C expressed highly in corpus epididymis and testis, whereas SPAG11E expressed weakly in corpus and cauda epididymis. Only SPAG11E mRNA expression in mature sperm was detected. The RT-PCR analysis of the temporal expression of SPAG, SPAG5, SPAG6 and SPAG11C genes in testis revealed that, in general, the expression of all genes examined elevated with age increase but with some variance. The expression of SPAG1 and SPAG11C presented similar trend, and it was low on days 1 and 30, but it increased significantly on days 60, 90 and 150 (P＜ 0.05). The mRNA expression of SPAG5 was relatively low on days 1 and 30 as well, but increased significantly on days 60 and 90 (P＜0.05), then decreased slightly on day 150. The mRNA expression of SPAG6 was low on days 1 and 30, increased significantly on day 60 (P＜0.05) and maintained to day 90, but decreased significantly on day 150 (P＜0.05). 【Conclusion】 The expression of SPAG, SPAG5, SPAG6, SPAG11C and SPAG11E in genital tracts was more extensive, weak expression of SPAG11E was detected in mature sperm, and the temporal expression of these genes was paralleled with the sexual development.

Key words: pig')">pig, sperm-associated antigens, genital tracts, sperm, spatial-temporal expression