ProAKAP4 expression is a marker of the quality of spermatogenesis and how spermatozoa are mature and functional in ejaculates. ProAKAP4/AKAP4 are crucial for sperm flagellum formation and for sperm motility (Fang et al. 2019). Furthermore, the proAKAP4 concentrations (stock of full length AKAP4) was shown to be correlated with fertility rates in main mammals including human (Sergeant et al. 2019 ; Ruelle et al. 2019 ; Peddinti et al. 2008 ; Singh et al. 2019 ; Delehedde et al. 2019).

This marker has been then proposed to follow up male fertility treatments (Nixon, et al. 2019 ; Delehedde et al. 2019 ; Delehedde et al. 2020). Interestingly Wu et al., 2020 have just released a paper that identified that AKAP4 is among the proteins that may play an important role in sperm concentration and motility.

Their results indicated that among modified proteins, AKAP4 was significantly downregulated after heat treatment of scrotum, suggesting that AKAP4 may serve as the biomarkers for scrotal heat treatment-induced male infertility.

More details on Wu et al. paper on  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32787870/

The 4MID® Kits  are today the only functional assays on the market that allow to quantify proAKAP4 concentrations directly in ejaculates or straws, assessing how spermatozoa will be functional and living in time. These 4MID® assays allow to follow up male reproductive studies.

More details about this new approach in sperm analysis with the 4MID® Kits and their different applications on www.4biodx-breeding.com

Please contact us at contact@4biodx.com if you require further information ¡