Matrix Metalloproteinases in Semen

Cattle and buffalo are important livestock resources for providing milk, meat and draught power. Assess the semen quality profiles are important to improve the fertility of animals. Number ways are available to assess the quality of semen and breeding bulls to improve the reproductive efficiency; one such is to study the expression profile of MMPs and associated semen quality profiles and serum biochemical profiles in cattle and buffaloes. MMP family members are involved in different reproductive processes in regulated manner. Their concentrations and activity are regulated by reproductive hormones, growth factors and cytokines which involve in different reproductive events. They modulate the structure and function of reproductive organs and gonads. The semen quality profiles and expression of MMPs are varied with bulls and are correlated. Specific MMPs are expressed in cattle and buffaloes. Therefore, identification and standardization of the specific proteinases are very useful to select the good quality breeding bulls. This book will be very helpful to the scientists working in the cattle and buffalo reproduction, artificial breeding centres and breeders & farmers.