Mining public mass spectrometry data to map the bull sperm membrane-associated proteome

In this study, we combined and reanalysed publicly available data files from three previously published studies to generate an updated list of the proteins associated with the membrane of bull sperm cells. We identified 742 proteins in total, 364 that were not reported previously in the original studies. Membrane proteins are important because they sit on the surface of the sperm and control how it recognises and communicates with the egg. Our functional analysis of these proteins revealed roles in sperm motility, energy production, and key fertilisation events such as binding to the egg. This study highlights the value of depositing data in public repositories so that older datasets can be reanalysed as analytical tools improve. A greater understanding of sperm membrane-associated proteins will improve knowledge of bull fertility with important implications for breeding and livestock production industries.