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Sperm Sorting Procedure Induces a Redistribution of Hsp70 but Not Hsp60 and Hsp90 in Boar Spermatozoa

From the Dipartimento di Morfofisiologia Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali (DIMORFIPA), Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italia.

Correspondence to: Dr M. Spinaci, Dipartimento di Morfofisiologia Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italia (e-mail: mspinaci{at}vet.unibo.it).

Heat shock proteins, besides their protective function against stresses, have been recently indicated as key factors for sperm fertilizing ability. Since sexing sperm by high-speed flow-cytometry subjects them to different physical, mechanical, and chemical stresses, the present study was designed to verify, by immunofluorescence and Western blot, whether the sorting procedure induces any modification in the amount and cellular distribution of heat shock proteins 60, 70, and 90 (Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90). Immunolocalization and Western blot quantification of both Hsp60 and Hsp90 did not reveal differences between unsorted and sorted semen. On the contrary, a redistribution of Hsp70 immunoreactivity from the equatorial subsegment toward the equator of sperm cells was recorded after sorting; this relocation suggests capacitation-like changes of sperm membrane. This modification seems to be caused mainly by incubation with Hoechst 33342, while both passage of sperm through flow cytometer and laser beam represent only minor stimuli. A further Hsp70 redistribution seems to be due to the final steps of sperm sorting, charging, and deflection of drops, and to the dilution during collection. On the other hand, staining procedure and mechanical stress seem to be the factors most injurious to sperm viability. Moreover, Hsp70 relocation was deeply influenced by the storage method. In fact, storing sexed spermatozoa, after centrifugation, in a small volume in presence of seminal plasma induced a reversion of Hsp70 redistribution, while storage in the diluted catch fluid of collection tubes caused Hsp70 relocation in most sorted spermatozoa.

     Key words: Flow cytometry, heat shock protein 60, heat shock protein 70, heat shock protein 90, pig