Comparison of urinary proteome in the first two days after mating in male rats

Abstract

Objective: To explore whether differences between male rats on the next day of mating and on the day of mating can be reflected by the urine proteome. Methods: Urine samples were collected from male Sprague-Dawley rats on the day of mating and the next day of mating. Urine samples were analysed by the label-free quantitative proteomics technique of high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Differential proteins of the urine proteome were analysed for protein function and biological pathways. Results: 54 differential proteins were identified by comparing the urine proteome of rats on the next day of mating with that on the day of mating, and nearly two-thirds of the differential proteins were related to spermatogenesis. Conclusions: The urine proteome has the potential to reflect spermatogenesis without interfering with it.

Keywords

• Rat model
• Urine
• Urine proteome
• Mating
• Spermatogenesis