Proteomics in Andrology

The development of mass spectrometry methods to identify proteins has changed the throughput capacity to identify proteins from complex biological mixtures. Different proteomics approaches are presently being applied to andrology. The basic steps in most proteomic analysis involve protein or peptide extraction from the sample, the reduction of the complexity of the initial protein or peptide extract either using 2D gel electrophoresis mono dimensional gel electrophoresis or using liquid chromatography, and finally the mass spectrometry identification of the proteins or peptides essentially through MALDI-TOF (matrix assisted laser desorption ionization - time of flight) or LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry / mass spectrometry), As a result of the recent application of proteomics to andrology catalogs of hundreds to thousands of proteins and proteomic 2D maps are now available from human and animal model sperm cells, seminal fluid secretions, epidydymis, testis. and prostate, among others, setting up a reference for subsequent basic research and potential clinical applications.