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Reprod Fertil Dev. 2017 Jun;29(6):1107-1114. doi: 10.1071/RD15261.

Papain and its inhibitor E-64 reduce

camelid semen viscosity without impairing sperm function and
improve post-thaw motility rates.
Kershaw CM1, Evans G2, Rodney R2, Maxwell WMC2.
Author information
1
Department of Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences, Harper Adams
University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK.
2
Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006
Australia.
Abstract
In camelids, the development of assisted reproductive technologies is impaired by the viscous
nature of the semen. The protease papain has shown promise in reducing viscosity, although
its effect on sperm integrity is unknown. The present study determined the optimal papain
concentration and exposure time to reduce seminal plasma viscosity and investigated the
effect of papain and its inhibitor E-64 on sperm function and cryopreservation in alpacas.
Papain (0.1mg mL-1, 20min, 37°C) eliminated alpaca semen viscosity while maintaining sperm
motility, viability, acrosome integrity and DNA integrity. Furthermore E-64 (10 µM at 37°C for
5min after 20min papain) inhibited the papain without impairing sperm function. Cryopreserved,
papain-treated alpaca spermatozoa exhibited higher total motility rates after chilling and 0 and
1h after thawing compared with control (untreated) samples. Papain treatment, followed by
inhibition of papain with E-64, is effective in reducing alpaca seminal plasma viscosity without
impairing sperm integrity and improves post-thaw motility rates of
cryopreserved alpaca spermatozoa. The use of the combination of papain and E-64 to
eliminate the viscous component of camelid semen may aid the development of assisted
reproductive technologies in camelids.

PMID:

27156102

DOI:

10.1071/RD15261