IMDA — MS Study Report
Study ID: IMS_100013
Project ID: IMP_100017
Printed: 16 Sep 2026
Project
Project IDIMP_100017
TitleAbundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane regulates fertility in zebu cattle bulls
Uploaded byFanny
Research AreaAnimal Sciences
Funding SourceNational Dairy Research Institute
ContributorsDr. Rakesh Kumar
DescriptionSpermatozoa are remarkable cells comprising a specialized plasma membrane (PM) that renders the functional capability for successful fertilization. As the PM contains complex lipids, including phospholipids, glycolipids, and sterols, any subtle alterations in these lipids disturb cellular homeostasis, leading to defective fertilizing ability. The study aims to profile lipids in the PM of spermatozoa from zebu cattle bulls. In this study, LC-MS/MS analysis, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and CASA were performed to identify and correlate the PM lipid molecules to bulls with contrasting fertility. We identified a total of 2074 lipid molecules in zebu cattle bulls. From the phospholipid class, molecular species of phosphatidylethanoleamine were most abundant in the HF group, followed by phosphatidyglycerol and lysophosphatidylethanoleamin. In the LF group, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylserine were the majorly identified lipid species. Glycolipids disialoganglioside and glucosylceramide were also differentially abundant between the two fertility groups. On the assessment of sperm viability, acrosome integrity, cryo-induced capacitation, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species levels, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed exhibiting better functionality in the HF group. Furthermore, computer assisted semen analysis revealed significant differences in various sperm kinematic parameters between distinct fertility groups. In this study, we identified differentially abundant lipid molecules (DALMs) in HF and LF bull spermatozoa with their potential role in the regulation of various sperm functional parametrs crucial to male fertility.
Study
Study IDIMS_100013
TitleAbundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane regulates fertility in zebu cattle bulls
Uploaded byFanny
Study TypeMass Spectrometry (MS)
Data TypeUntargeted
Release DateDec. 12, 2024
IEC/IBSC No.
Publication
SummaryIn this study, 31 zebu cattle bulls with more than 50 artificial insemination field fertility records were categorized into high-fertility (HF) and low-fertility (LF) groups based on their conception rates.The 31 bulls included in this study had their conception rates (CRs) tested for normal distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. The bulls with CRs lying between 52.36% and 36.60 % were considered as average fertile. Ten bulls, five each in high-fertility (HF, n = 5, CR between 52.94% and 59.59%) and low-fertility (LF, n = 5, CR between 26.92% and 33.33%) chosen for the study had their CRs above. The semen straws from both HF (n=5) and LF (n=5) bulls were thawed by submerging them in a water bath for 30 s, and the extender was removed completely after three wash using 1X Sp-TALP by centrifuging for 10 min in Sp-TALP. Aproximately 4x108 spermatozoa/ml were taken for sperm plasma membrane (PM) isolation, and then the sample was transferred to an ice-cold Dounce homogenizer.Homogenization was done after adding Working Buffer Solution (WBS). The samples were sonicated using a probe sonicator.  Afterward, centrifugation was done. The supernatant, i.e., PNS (post-nuclear fraction) was re-sonicated.One ml of the sample was placed on the bottom of a clean, fresh, pre-cooled ultracentrifuge tube after mixing it with gradient working solution  (GWS) provided with the PM isolation kit. On top of it, gradient solution was layered. The tubes were then ultracentrifuged. The PM fractions were then collected and stored at -80 °C in a glass tube.For lipid extraction, Bligh and Dyer method was used with certain modifications.The organic layer was removed carefully and transferred to a fresh glass vial. This stored organic layer was used for lipidomic analysis.All LC/MS experiments were carried out using the DionexUltiMate 3000 UHPLC (Thermo Scientific, MA) system equipped with a binary solvent delivery manager and a sample manager, coupled with a Thermo Q-EXACTIVE PLUS operating in positive (ESI +) and negative (ESI−) electrospray ionization mode (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), separately.The injection volume was 20 μl, and the analysis time was 15 min. The mass spectrometric data were collected using a Thermo Q-EXACTIVE PLUS mass spectrometer.All the samples were processed, and RAW files generated were analyzed using LipidSearch 4.2.13(Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc) to identify the lipid molecular species within each lipid fraction. Both positive and negative mode analysis was performed separately.Statistical analysis was performed on redundant list of lipid molecules. Intensity values were log2 transformed with normalized z-score.
Sample  (Total: 12)
# Sample ID Sample Name Organism Source Sample Type Experimental Condition Gender Age Replicates Storage Files/Sample
1 IMSM_100843 SW_HF1_N Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(01) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
2 IMSM_100844 SW_HF1_P Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(02) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
3 IMSM_100845 SW_HF2_N Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(03) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
4 IMSM_100846 SW_HF2_P Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(04) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
5 IMSM_100847 SW_HF3_N Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(05) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
6 IMSM_100848 SW_HF3_P Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(06) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
7 IMSM_100849 SW_LF1_N Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(07) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
8 IMSM_100850 SW_LF1_P Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(08) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
9 IMSM_100851 SW_LF2_N Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(09) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
10 IMSM_100852 SW_LF2_P Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(10) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
11 IMSM_100853 SW_LF3_N Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(11) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
12 IMSM_100854 SW_LF3_P Bos indicus Spermatozoa Animal Sample(12) Abundance of specific lipid molecules in sperm plasma membrane. NA NA NA -80oC
Mass Spectrometry Experiments
# MS Exp ID Sample Name / ID MS Type Instrument Name Instrument Type Ionization Method Ion Mode Software Used
1 IME_100492 SW_HF1_P / IMSM_100844 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Positive Compound Discoverer
2 IME_100493 SW_HF1_N / IMSM_100843 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Negative Compound Discoverer
3 IME_100494 SW_HF2_P / IMSM_100846 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Positive Compound Discoverer
4 IME_100495 SW_HF2_N / IMSM_100845 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Negative Compound Discoverer
5 IME_100496 SW_HF3_P / IMSM_100848 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Positive Compound Discoverer
6 IME_100497 SW_HF3_N / IMSM_100847 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Negative Compound Discoverer
7 IME_100498 SW_LF1_P / IMSM_100850 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Positive Compound Discoverer
8 IME_100499 SW_LF1_N / IMSM_100849 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Negative Compound Discoverer
9 IME_100500 SW_LF2_P / IMSM_100852 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Positive Compound Discoverer
10 IME_100501 SW_LF2_N / IMSM_100851 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Negative Compound Discoverer
11 IME_100503 SW_LF3_N / IMSM_100853 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Negative Compound Discoverer
12 IME_100502 SW_LF3_P / IMSM_100854 LCMS (Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry) Others Orbitrap Others Positive Compound Discoverer
Author List
# First Name Last Name Email Organization Designation
1 Rakesh Kumar rakeshcift@gmail.com National Dairy Research Institute scientist
File Details
# FTP Run ID MS Exp ID MS Data File
1 IMR_101091 IME_100492 SW_HF1_P.raw
2 IMR_101092 IME_100493 SW_HF1_N.raw
3 IMR_101093 IME_100494 SW_HF2_P.raw
4 IMR_101094 IME_100495 SW_HF2_N.raw
5 IMR_101095 IME_100496 SW_HF3_P.raw
6 IMR_101096 IME_100497 SW_HF3_N.raw
7 IMR_101097 IME_100498 SW_LF1_P.raw
8 IMR_101098 IME_100499 SW_LF1_N.raw
9 IMR_101099 IME_100500 SW_LF2_P.raw
10 IMR_101100 IME_100501 SW_LF2_N.raw
11 IMR_101101 IME_100502 SW_LF3_P.raw
12 IMR_101102 IME_100503 SW_LF3_N.raw