Gamete Therapeutics: Recombinant Protein Adsorption by Sperm for Increasing Fertility via Artificial Insemination

A decrease in fertility can have a negative economic impact, both locally and over a broader geographical scope, and this is especially the case with regard to the cattle industry. Therefore, much interest exists in evaluating proteins that might be able to increase the fertility of sperm. Heparin binding proteins (HBPs), specifically the fertility associated antigen (FAA) and the Type-2 tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-2), act to favor the capacitation and acrosome reaction and perhaps even modulate the immune system’s response toward the sperm. The objective of this research was to determine the effect on fertility of adding recombinant FAA (rFAA) and recombinant TIMP-2 (rTIMP-2) to bovine semen before cryopreservation for use in an artificial insemination (AI) program in a tropical environment. For this experiment, 100 crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) heifers were selected based on their estrus cycle, body condition score (BCS), of 4 to 6 on a scale of 1 to 9, and adequate anatomical conformation evaluated by pelvic and genital (normal) measurements. Heifers were synchronized using estradiol benzoate (EB), Celosil® (PGF2α) (Shering-Plough) and a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device was inserted that contained progesterone. Inseminations were performed in two groups at random, 50 animals per group. The control group was inseminated with conventional semen. The treatment group was inseminated with semen containing rFAA (25 µg/mL) and rTIMP-2 (25 µg/mL). In the control group a 16% pregnancy rate was obtained versus a 40% pregnancy rate for the HBP treatment group, resulting in a significant difference (P = 0.0037). Given the results herein, one may conclude that the HBPs can increase fertility and could be an option for cattle in tropical conditions; however, one needs to consider the environment, nutrition, and the genetic interaction affecting the final result in whatever reproductive program that is implemented.


Introduction
When the fertility decreases in males, it can present a negative economic impact on, among other things, the production of milk and meat from cattle [1]. The assisted reproduction technique (ART) of artificial insemination (AI) has played a central role in the genetic improvement of livestock. The general use of this technique, AI, and the success of its overall potential requires the preservation of semen for long periods of time. Even though cryopreservation helps with the prolonged storage of semen, the process of cryopreservation and thawing may cause irreversible damage to sperm [2]. Evidence suggests that the seminal plasma, which is a mixture of secretions originating in the testicles, epididymides, and accessory glands, contains molecules that affect the ability of the sperm to fertilize the oocyte [3]. These studies are based on the comparison of the seminal plasma composition of males with different levels of fertility, or by the identification of factors of the seminal plasma that facilitate or inhibit the sperm capacitation, fertilization, or related events [4].
Currently, many diverse proteins are being tested that may increase the fertilization capability of sperm, being that they act upon some process previous to pregnancy, and this is the case with the heparin binding proteins (HBPs), specifically the fertility associated antigen (FAA) and the Type-2 tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-2). According to the scientific literature, HBPs have been viewed as actually favoring capacitation, acrosome reaction, and altering the immune system response toward the sperm.

Heparin Binding Proteins
Heparin is chemically similar to the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that are secreted in the reproductive tract of the female. The heparin and the GAGs of the female reproductive tract bind to proteins on the surface of bovine sperm and this binding induces capacitation [5]. Evidence indicates that bulls exhibiting higher fertility produce ejaculates with more heparin binding protein on spermatozoal membranes, i.e., sperm with a higher binding affinity of heparin [6], compared to bulls with lower fertility [7]. It has also been reported that the sperm of bulls with a higher fertility have a larger frequency of acrosomal reaction in response to compounds similar to heparin and have a higher binding affinity by the heparin than those sperm from lower fertility bulls [8]. The binding of heparin by sperm has been documented in rabbits, monkeys, pigs, goats and humans [5].
The HBPs are produced by the accessory glands of the male and secreted within the seminal fluid. The accessory glands of the male rat (seminal vesicles, prostate, and Cowper's gland) produce HBPs under the control of androgens [9]. The HBPs bind to the epididymal sperm and increase the ability of the acrosome reaction in response to the heparin and to the proteins of the zona pellucida [10].
The HBPs combine to form complexes with 5 levels of binding affinity for heparin. The complex with the greatest affinity for heparin, i.e., HBP-B5 is composed of multiple proteins (31, 24 and 14-18 kDa) [5]. Within the aforementioned group, one finds the 31 kDa HBP called FAA and the 24 kDa HBP identified as TIMP-2 [1], [11]. The presence of FAA (identified as a DNase-1) has been shown to be an indicator of superior fertility of bulls based on artificial insemination field fertility trials [7]. FAA has been identified in seminal vesicles and prostate, but has been detected very few times in bulbourethral glands [11].
The recombinant protein FAA has DNase-1 activity, and this can act on the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in a similar manner to that of the natural protein in the seminal plasma [12]. Alghamdi et al. [13] found that the seminal plasma contained a protein factor or factors that can reduce the binding of neutrophils to the sperm in vitro in a dose dependent response. Based on what Alghamdi and Foster [12] have demonstrated, the activity of the DNase (FAA) present in the seminal plasma digests the exposed DNA and frees the trapped sperm, possibly resulting in more sperm reaching the oviduct and as such increasing fertility.
With respect to TIMP-2, it has been found in seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulboeurtheral glands. TIMP-2 acts to inhibit the enzymatic activity of the metalloproteases (MMPs), of which are included the interstitial collagens, gelatinases, estromelisines and membrane MMPs. Moreover, it has been found that TIMP-2 binds to the posterior region of the acrosome [14] [15].
Preliminary studies with the recombinant proteins indicate that in some cases they may help stabilize the acrosome membrane of the bovine sperm, determined by decreased post-thaw acrosome damage when FAA is added before cryopreservation. Barrios et al. [16] demonstrated that the absorption of isolated proteins from the seminal plasma can reduce the damage that cold shock can have on the sperm membrane. Results of a study by Mogielnicka-Brzozowska et al. [17] indicated that zinc-binding proteins of boar seminal plasma have a shielding effect on the plasma membrane and acrosome of spermatozoa, protecting these structures against consequences of cold shock. Mogielnicka-Brzozowska and Kordan [18] mentioned the possibility of adding specific plasma proteins to sperm for the rentention of features responsible for the efficient fertilization after storage.
The production of recombinant TIMP-2 and recombinant FAA has been described previously in the scientific literature. To obtain recombinant TIMP-2, an isolation of the total RNA was required from the bovine seminal vesicles, after which RT-PCR was used for the cloning, detection and the analysis of the sequence of the product obtained [19]. As a result, a fragment of 650 base pairs of the bovine TIMP-2 gene was obtained, which corresponds to 96% of the complete gene and contains all of the codons of the amino acid sequence for the desired TIMP-2 protein [19]. To obtain the FAA, a vector of highly induced expression was cloned in E. coli, a fragment of 592 base pairs from cDNA of FAA, corresponding to the amino acid residues 73 to 269 of the original protein [20].
The use of recombinant proteins for fertility trials in cattle is rare in the scientific literature. A recent in vitro fertilization (IVF) study by Ordonez-Leon et al. (2011) [21] and an AI study by Agado et al. (2011) [22] used recombinant FAA and TIMP-2 with frozen-thawed sex-sorted semen, but the results did not demonstrate a significant increase in fertility in either study. In another study, Amann et al. (1999) [23] used a synthetic peptide from rat prosaposin for a fertility field trial using cattle that resulted in improved fertility.
The present study aimed to test newer methods for increasing the fertility of cattle maintained in humid tropical conditions, more specifically, using the addition of recombinant heparin binding proteins (rHBPs) to conventional semen pre-cryopreservation. In this particular study, it appears that the difficult environmental conditions experienced by the cattle negatively impacted the results, as both control and treatment groups demonstrated a lower fertility than would be expected. However, the overall aim of demonstrating the applicability of these rHBPs was achieved, as the treatment group maintained a significantly higher fertility than the control group.

Results
Compared to the control group, a larger proportion of gestations occurred in the animals with the HBP treatment, and for both body condition score (BCS) groups (Cochran-Maentel-Haenszel test, P = 0.0009). The frequencies and percentages of gestations observed are included in Table 1. The estimated homogeneous odds ratio was 8.37, indicating a strong association between the proportion of gestations and treatment with rHBPs for both BCS groups. Evidence that the effect of the rHBPs depended on body condition (Breslow-Day statistical test using the Tarone adjustment, P = 0.33) was not observed. The results of these tests indicate that a good model for explaining the proportion of the gestations is the logistic model with the effects for the rHBPs and the BCS [24]. A summary of the logistic regression analysis results are presented in Table 1 and Table 2 and show the percentages of gestations for the different experimental conditions estimated by the respective model using a 95% confidence interval.
The percentage of controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices retained was 100% for both the control group and the rHBP treatment group. Regarding the presentation of estrus, the control group experienced a 96% estrus and the rHBP group a 92% estrus; therefore not demonstrating a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.19), presented in Table 3. The AI was done at 24 to 26 h after the second injection of estradiol benzoate (EB), or 48 to 50 h after the removal of the CIDRs in the animals that did not show signs of estrus.

Natural FAA and TIMP-2 Levels Versus rFAA and rTIMP-2 Binding
Bovine sperm samples testing negative for FAA, negative controls, from Midland Bioproducts CorporationH verified that the FAA conjugated antibody was not cross-reacting ( Figure 1). Similar to McCauley et al. [11], depending upon the presence of either protein on sperm, the fluorescence binding patterns were observed in either the acrosomal region, postacrosomal region, acrosomal and postacrosomal regions, or no fluorescence if both proteins were absent (Figure 2).

Discussion
The rHBP treatment group in the present research was 24% more fertile (based on pregnancy rate) than the control group, which is higher than that reported by Sprott et al. [7] who obtained an increase of 16.3% in the pregnancy rate in heifers with synchronized estrus, upon using frozen-thawed semen from FAA positive bulls. Notably, they obtained a 62% pregnancy rate and in the present research the results were lower, i.e., a 40% pregnancy rate. This difference in these results could be because in their study they used bulls that tested positive for only naturally occurring FAA and in the present research recombinant FAA and TIMP-2 were added, both produced via genetic engineering. In the present study, the overall pregnancy rate in the first service was 28%. This result is similar to that reported by Bó et al. [25] who reported pregnancy rates of 28.7% to 66.9% in cows and heifers treated with CIDRs, EB and fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) 26-32 hours after CIDR removal.
During the course of this experiment, above normal ambient temperatures were prevalent and at times exceeded 40uC, which could have had an influence on the lower pregnancy percentages obtained. Another important aspect to consider is that during the hot period, the embryo death rate markedly increased during days 7 and 14 of gestation [26]. In terms of the molecular aspects related to the resistance of heat stress, one can find that heat shock proteins (HSP) have been detected not only in gametes but also in early stage embryos. The HSP can increase or decrease the expression of the different isoforms of the progesterone receptors, which in turn can increase or decrease the effect of progesterone; this aspect can influence the levels of progesterone, and therefore can influence the gestation [27].
Since this experiment was conducted during the dry season, there was not an abundance of forage and the available forage was not of good nutritional quality. This aspect of available forage affects the metabolism of the individuals and generates a negative energy balance (NEB). It is well documented that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) increases the number of binding sites to luteinizing hormone (LH) and potentially the production of LH. The NEB causes a decrease in the circulating concentration of IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). This decrease in IGFBPs can affect the luteinization of the corpus luteum (CL), which could generate a dysfunctional CL, possibly resulting in the insufficient production of progesterone for maintaining the gestation and ultimately could cause the resorption of the embryo [28].
In terms of the results obtained for the AI at first service utilizing the two types of semen, the fertility of the females inseminated with the rHBPs (FAA and TIMP-2) added to the semen increased compared to the control group. Given these aforementioned results, one can conclude that the addition of the rHBPs utilized in this study can improve fertility, consequently increasing the pregnancy rate in heifers. In this way, the addition of these proteins to bovine semen before cryopreservation can be a useful tool to improve the results of reproductive programs that involve cattle in tropical climates. With regard to the pregnancy rate in relation to BCS, some heifers with a poor body condition presented gestation with the rHBPs, while not a single one succeeded in producing a gestation with the control semen. Based on this, it is possible to conclude that the addition of rHBPs to the semen can increase fertility in cattle when conditions may not be favorable for reproduction under normal circumstances. Until now, this is the first research effort that reports the successful use of rFAA and rTIMP-2 in a synchronized AI program in cattle under tropical conditions. Under the previously mentioned conditions, the HBP treated semen increased the fertility with respect to the control group. Although we used cattle as a model in the present research, the application could be extended for wider use in domestic animal husbandry, assisted reproductive techniques for endangered species, and even human clinical treatments. We recommend that additional experiments be conducted to determine if the positive results in the present study can be achieved under different environmental conditions, other breeds of cattle, or even in other species.
With advances in such fields as proteomics it is now possible to identify proteins much more efficiently. Similarly, given the increasing efficiency in recombinant production techniques, there will likely become a more widespread use as the costs of

Ethics Statement
All of the animals used in this research were treated in accordance to the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) guide for use of farm animals in research and teaching [29]. The present study took place between May 16 and July 3, 2010 in the state of Tabasco, Mexico, situated in the humid tropical region of Mexico, Latitude North 17u599 and Latitude West 92u569 at an elevation of 10 m above sea level. The climate is typically hot and humid with abundant rainfall in the summer with an average temperature in this region of ,33.6uC and annual cumulative rainfall of 2,237 mm [30].

Semen Collection and Semen Characteristics
Semen was collected from one Brahman bull by means of an artificial vagina. The ejaculates were only used for processing conventional straws of semen if they met the following criteria: minimum motility of $55%, primary abnormal morphologies #15%, secondary abnormal morphologies #15%, and a total abnormal morphology count not to exceed 25%. Further, samples used in the post-thaw analyses had to meet standard quality control conditions of motility $45% at 0 h and $30% at 3 h when incubated at 37uC. The post-thaw intact acrosomes were $50% at 3 h.
For all semen quality evaluations, 25.4 6 76.2 mm glass microscope slides (Andwin, Addison, IL) and 22 6 22 mm #1.5 coverslips (Thomas Scientific, Swedesboro, NJ, USA) were used. All motility assessments were made using brightfield microscopy and post-thaw intact acrosomes and morphology assessments utilized differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy at 400X. Samples were viewed using a Nikon Eclipse 80i microscope (Nikon Instruments Inc., Melville, NY, USA). The present study formed part of a larger collaborative project between Texas A&M University, Sexing Technologies, and the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlan, UNAM. The semen, both with and without the HBPs, was prepared and cryopreserved by Sexing Technologies. The recombinant FAA and TIMP-2 proteins used in the present study were provided by TMI Laboratories International, Inc. and added at Sexing Technologies.
To verify that the FAA conjugated antibody was not crossreacting, negative controls were used. Bovine sperm samples that tested negative for FAA, i.e., sperm not having FAA protein, were obtained from Midland Bioproducts CorporationH.

Addition and Verification of FAA and TIMP-2 Binding
For this research, 25 mg of FAA and 25 mg of TIMP-2 were added per milliliter of semen, and then left to adsorb for 20 min at ,21uC, after which the semen was diluted and cooled to about 5uC prior to packaging and cryopreservation. Adsorption of the recombinant proteins was verified both by directly conjugating the recombinant proteins using the Lightning-Link TM Fluorescein conjugation kit (Innova Biosciences: Product # 707 -0010, 0015, Batch # 606, 678, and 686), as well as using the conjugated antibody procedure similar to that used in identifying the natural levels of FAA and TIMP-2. Samples were viewed both before and after treatment with recombinant proteins using a Nikon Eclipse 80i microscope with fluorescence capabilities and NIS Elements BR 3.00 imaging software [31] with a CCD camera, specifically a PhotometricsH CoolSNAP TM 164 EZ (Photometrics, Tucson, AZ, USA), for photographing.

Semen Extender Preparation
All of the chemicals used in making the semen extenders were purchased from Amresco (AMRESCOH Inc., Solon, OH, USA). The semen extenders used in the experiments were prepared using the standard protocols and procedures within Sexing Technologies and consisted of the same formulation having a pH of 6.8 and an osmolality balanced at ,30065 mOsm/Kg for the Tris A extender. For testing on a batch-to-batch basis, Tris B extender was diluted 3:1 (A:B) and vortexed with a final osmolality of 830 mOsm/Kg [32]. The formula of the Tris A semen extender utilized consisted of the following: 7.57 g TRIS, 4.32 g Citric Acid Monohydrate (CAM), 2.25 g Fructose, 50 mL (20% v/v) egg yolk, 50 mg/mL Tylosin, 250 mg/mL Gentamycin, 150/300 mg/mL Lincomycin-Spectinomycin, and Nanopure Water 18.2 MilliQ added to make a total of 250 mL extender. The antibiotic guidelines are approved by Certified Semen Services of the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB). The Tris B extender differs from the Tris A extender in that it contains glycerol, i.e., 14% (v/v). The Tris A extended fraction containing the semen sample is allowed to cool to about 5uC, after which the Tris B extender of similar temperature is added incrementally, in order to reduce osmotic shock. The final mix of the two extenders used to dilute the bull semen pre-cryopreservation was a 1:1 ratio of A and B fractions of respective extenders, with a final glycerol content of 7%. Semen was placed in 0.5 mL french straws at a concentration of 25 6 10 6 sperm per straw (IMV Technologies, L'Aigle, France) and cryopreserved using an automated freezing device, IMV DigitcoolH (IMV, Cedex, France) and stored in liquid nitrogen.

AI of Heifers
For this experiment, a total of 100 tropically-adapted cross-bred commercial heifers (Bos indicus 6Bos taurus genotype) were selected. From these animals, two groups were formed by random selection; the heifers in the control group (n = 50) were inseminated with semen not having rHBPs added and the treatment group heifers (n = 50) were inseminated with semen having the added rHBPs (rFAA and rTIMP-2).

Inclusion Criteria
The heifers were selected for this experiment by taking into account their cyclicity, BCS, weight, anatomic conformation and genital anatomy.
Cyclicity. The ovarian activity was evaluated by means of real-time ultrasound (mode-B) with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer (VetPreg, China) and the selected animals had at least a follicle size of $8 mm and a CL.
Body condition and anatomic conformation. Animals were selected with a BCS of 4 (average of 320 kg) to 6 (average of 350 kg) on a scale of 1 to 9 where 1 is very thin and 9 is considered obese [33]. The anatomical conformation was evaluated by means of pelvimetry [34].
Genital anatomy. Animals were selected with normal genital anatomy with reference to the presence of ovaries, uterine horns, cervix and vulva, by means of transrectal palpation.
Exclusion criteria. Females with anatomic abnormalities, anestrus and/or with BCS of 3 or less were not selected for the experiment.

Estrus Synchronization and Ovulation
The heifers were synchronized for presenting estrus in the following manner: Day 0, they received an intramuscular (IM) injection of 2 mg of EB, 500 mg of CelosilH prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a; Schering-Plough, México) and a CIDR was inserted containing 1.38 g of progesterone; Day 7, the CIDR was removed and heifers were administered 500 mg of CelosilH (PGF2a) by IM injection; Day 8, heifers were IM injected with 0.5 mg EB [25], [35].

Estrus Detection
Direct observation was the method used for detecting estrus in the heifers, and once identified the base of the tail was painted with a colored marker. The marking was done on Day 8 of synchronization at the time of injecting the second dose of EB. The observation for detection of estrus began at 6:00 to 7:00 pm on Day 8 of synchronization and at 5:00 am on Day 9 of synchronization. Those heifers that lost their colored marker were inseminated first [36], given that in a tropical climate the presentation of estrus typically occurs between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am [37]. The animals that were not identified as being in estrus were inseminated at a fixed time of 52 to 56 h after the removal of the CIDR.

Artificial Insemination
The heifers were inseminated using the rectovaginal technique and forming 2 groups at random of 50 animals each. The control group was inseminated with cryopreserved bovine semen without HBPs and the HBP treatment group was inseminated with cryopreserved bovine semen containing 25 mg/mL of FAA and 25 mg/mL TIMP-2. The inseminations were performed 24 to 26 h after the second injection of EB and removal of the CIDR.

Pregnancy Diagnosis
Pregnancy was diagnosed by means of real-time ultrasound (mode-B) with a linear array transducer of 7.5 MHz (VetPreg, China), at 45 days post insemination.

Statistical Analysis
In both groups, treatment and control, the percentage of gestation at first service was determined, as well as gestation correlating to body condition. The Breslow-Day statistical test using the Tarone adjustment [38] was utilized to test the interaction effects of the BCS and the rHBPs on the gestation rate. The independence of the gestation rate and the treatment with rHBPs factoring for the BCS was tested using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. A logistic model was also created with the effects of the rHBPs and the BCS for estimating the percentages of gestation and associated standard error. The statistical analysis was made with the software R [39]; specifically for the Breslow-Day test the metafor package of R [40] was utilized. A comparison was made of the proportions of the animals that entered estrus in each group by means of a Z test.