Characterisation of proteins in the seminal plasma of stallions, geldings and geldings supplemented with testosterone

Abstract

The major proteins in stallion seminal plasma were characterised by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and compared with the patterns of proteins in normal geldings (castrated males) and geldings supplemented with testosterone. The major proteins or groups of proteins identified according to their approximate relative molecular weight in kilodaltons (kDa) and apparent isoelectric point (pl) were: 1) 60 kDa, pl 7; 2) 23 kDa, pl 4–5; 3) 25–30 kDa, pl 5·5–6; 4) 23 kDa, pl 7–8; and 5) 15–20 kDa, pl 6–7·5. Protein groups 1 and 2 were more prominent in the seminal plasma from the stallions and supplemented geldings than that from the unsupplemented geldings, while protein groups 3, 4 and 5 were more prominent in the seminal plasma from the unsupplemented geldings.