Proteomic identification of rainbow trout seminal plasma proteins

In the present study the combination of protein fractionation by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to characterize the rainbow trout seminal plasma proteome. Our results led to the creation of a catalogue of rainbow trout seminal plasma proteins and significantly contributed to the current knowledge regarding the protein composition of fish seminal plasma. The major proteins of rainbow trout seminal plasma, such as transferrin, apolipoproteins, complement C3, serum albumin, hemopexin-like protein, alpha-1-antiproteinase-like and precerebellin-like protein were recognized as acute phase proteins (proteins which plasma concentration changes in response to inflammation). This study provides the basis for further functional studies of fish seminal plasma proteins, as well as for the identification of novel biomarkers for sperm quality.