Expression Profile of Leptin and Aromatase-P450 Genes and Association with Sperm Motility in Fresh Bovine Ejaculates

Abstract

Aromatase-P450 is an enzyme responsible for estrogen biosynthesis. It plays a major role in normal spermatogenesis and controls the sexual development and neuro-endocrine functions. Leptin, a 167 amino acid long protein-hormone, is the product of obese gene secreted by adipocytes. In the present study the expression of Leptin and Aromatase-P450 in the fresh ejaculates, using SYBR Green chemistry in real time PCR, from a total of 10 bulls- 4 buffalo and 6 crossbred cattle bulls were studied. The experimental animals were further categorized into acceptable (individual motility >50 %, post thaw motility >45 % in cattle and >40 % in buffalo) or poor semen samples (individual motility <50 %, post thaw motility <45 % in cattle and < 40 % in buffalo). The expression of Aromatase-P450 was found to be higher in acceptable semen ejaculates whereas for Leptin gene it was higher in poor quality semen for both the species.Sperm mitochondrial activity index (SMAI) was performed to determine the association between the activity of sperm mitochondria, individual motility with the expression of both the genes. Samples with high mass motility were showing high depositions of NBT dye and high expression of Aromatase-P450 gene but low expression of Leptin gene as compared to low mass motility. In conclusion, higher expression of aromatase and leptin genes in fresh ejaculates is directly and inversely proportional respectively, to higher sperm motility in both cattle and buffalo bulls.