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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #435737
Research Project: Biophotonics - Emerging Imaging Technologies for Food Animal Research

Location: Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit

Title: Integrating Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Proteomics for Semen Quality Biosensing

Author
item DLAMINI, NOTSILE - Mississippi State University
item SANTOS-RIVERA, MARIANA - Mississippi State University
item VANCE-KUBA, CARRIE - Mississippi State University
item PECHANOVA, OLGA - Mississippi State University
item PECHAN, TIBOR - Mississippi State University
item FEUGANG, JEAN - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Biosensors
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2025
Publication Date: 7/15/2025
Citation: Dlamini, N.H., Santos-Rivera, M., Vance-Kuba, C.K., Pechanova, O., Pechan, T., Feugang, J.M. 2025. Integrating Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Proteomics for Semen Quality Biosensing. Biosensors. 15(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070456.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15070456

Interpretive Summary: This study focuses on improving artificial insemination (AI) in pigs by finding better ways to assess semen quality. Research looked at the fluid surrounding sperm, called seminal plasma, which contains small particles known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). We used advanced techniques, including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and proteomics, to analyze these EVs. Fresh semen from Duroc boars was tested for movement, dividing samples into those that passed (with good motility) and those that failed. The NIRS method showed promising results, accurately distinguishing between the two groups most of the time. Furthermore, the proteomic analysis identified different proteins in the samples, highlighting certain proteins that were more prevalent in high-quality semen. The study concluded that combining these methods can create a more efficient and non-invasive way to evaluate semen quality. This approach could help farmers select better sperm for breeding, ultimately improving the effectiveness of artificial insemination in pigs. This research supports the Secretary of Agriculture’s priorities of increasing profitability of farmers.

Technical Abstract: Artificial insemination (AI) is a key breeding technique in the swine industry; however, the lack of reliable biomarkers for semen quality limits its effectiveness. Seminal plasma (SP) contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) that present a promising, non-invasive biomarker for semen quality. This study explores the biochemical profiles of boar SP to assess semen quality through near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and proteomics of SP-EVs. Fresh semen from mature Duroc boars was evaluated based on sperm motility, classifying samples as Passed (=70%) or Failed (<70%). NIRS analysis identified distinct variations in water structures at specific wavelengths (C1, C5, C12 nm), achieving high accuracy (92.2%), sensitivity (94.2%), and specificity (90.3%) through PCA-LDA. Proteomic analysis of SP-EVs revealed 218 proteins in Passed and 238 in Failed samples. Nexin-1 and seminal plasma protein pB1 were upregulated in Passed samples, while LGALS3BP was downregulated. The functional analysis highlighted pathways associated with single fertilization, filament organization, and glutathione metabolism in Passed samples. Integrating NIRS with SP-EV proteomics provides a robust approach to non-invasive assessment of semen quality. These findings suggest that SP-EVs could serve as effective biosensors for rapid semen quality assessment, enabling better boar semen selection and enhancing AI practices in swine breeding.