鸭精液品质相关睾丸代谢物的差异分析

doi:10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2026.01.023

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aimed to analyze the metabolic mechanisms of testicular tissue associated with semen quality in ducks from a metabolomics perspective. Semen quality was evaluated in a duck population. Twelve drakes （6 with significantly high semen quality and 6 with significantly low semen quality） were selected， and testicular tissues were collected. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS） was used to analyze differences in testicular metabolites between groups. Enrichment analysis of differential metabolites was performed to screen potential key pathways related to testicular semen quality. A total of 98 differentially abundant metabolites was identified in testicular tissues of ducks with varying semen quality， including 15 significantly upregulated and 83 significantly downregulated metabolites. These metabolites primarily belonged to categories such as fatty acyls， amino acids and their metabolites， glycerophospholipids， nucleotides and their metabolites， benzene derivatives， coenzymes and vitamins， and hormones. Correlation analysis revealed the strongest positive correlation between fatty acyls and benzene derivatives， while the strongest negative correlation was observed between carbohydrates/their metabolites and aldehydes/ketones/esters. Semen quality parameters （e.g.， sperm motility and kinematic parameters） showed significant positive/negative correlations （|R|≥0.80） with fatty acyls， glycerophospholipids， and other metabolites. Enrichment analysis highlighted two critical metabolic pathways： fatty acid degradation （P=0.000 59） and glycerophospholipid metabolism （P=0.012 76）. This study elucidated differential metabolites and potential metabolic mechanisms associated with semen quality in duck testicular tissues through metabolomics. It identifies 98 differential metabolites dominated by lipids （fatty acyls and glycerophospholipids）， characterized by significant downregulation of carnitines and enrichment of hexadecanoic acid （FFA16：0） and maltitol in the high semen quality group， and identifies fatty acid degradation and glycerophospholipid metabolism as core pathways significantly associated with semen quality. These findings provide key metabolites and pathway targets for research on avian testicular function.

Key words: duck, testis, metabolomics, differential metabolites, metabolic pathways

CLC Number:

S834.3

ZHU Chunhong, TAO Zhiyun, GENG Mingyang, WANG Zhicheng, SONG Weitao, GU Haotian, LIU Hongxiang, ZHANG Shuangjie, CHEN Li, XU Wenjuan, WANG Yifei, LI Huifang. Differential Analysis of Testicular Metabolites Associated with Semen Quality in Ducks[J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2026, 57(1): 270-281.

Figures/Tables 9

Table 1

Table 2

Fig.1

Table 3

Top 30 significantly differential metabolites"

物质一级分类 Primary classificationof substances	物质 Substance	化合物 Compound	化学式 Formula	VIP	P-value	log₂FC
脂肪酰类 Fatty acyl classes	二十二碳七烯酸	FFA（22：7）	C₂₂H₃₀O₂	2.332 6	0.000 1	-0.382 8
	肉碱 C20：3	Carnitine C20：3	C₂₇H₄₇NO₄	2.302 8	0.000 8	-0.830 4
	十六烷酸	FFA（16：0）	C₁₆H₃₂O₂	2.240 7	0.003 6	0.849 6
	肉碱 C24：5	Carnitine C24：5	C₃₁H₅₁NO₄	2.102 2	0.004 9	-0.755 5
	肉碱 C18：0	Carnitine C18：0	C₂₅H₄₉NO₄	2.088 7	0.003 3	-0.684 9
	肉碱 C22：4	Carnitine C22：4	C₂₉H₄₉NO₄	2.067 7	0.001 2	-0.814 3
	肉碱 C20：2	Carnitine C202	C₂₇H₄₉NO₄	2.058 5	0.010 9	-0.831 1
	肉碱 C20：1-OH	Carnitine C20：1-OH	C₂₇H₅₁NO₅	2.027 8	0.029 1	-1.113 0
	肉碱 C20：1	Carnitine C20：1	C₂₇H₅₁NO₄	2.026 5	0.003 5	-0.737 8
	肉碱 C18-OH	Carnitine C18-OH	C₂₅H₄₉NO₅	2.022 0	0.023 7	-0.946 0
	肉碱 C17：0	Carnitine C17：0	C₂₄H₄₇NO₄	2.009 5	0.008 3	-0.807 7
	肉碱 C18：2	Carnitine C18：2	C₂₅H₄₅NO₄	2.000 4	0.021 3	-0.760 5
氨基酸及其代谢物 Amino acids andmetabolites	L-赖氨酸-L-苏氨酸	Lys-Thr	C₁₀H₂₁N₃O₄	2.572 6	0.000 1	-2.908 2
氨基酸及其代谢物 Amino acids andmetabolites	脯氨酸-亮氨酸	Pro-Leu	C₁₁H₂₀N₂O₃	2.019 9	0.004 2	-0.574 9
苯及其衍生物 Benzene and derivatives	4-甲氧基肉桂酸乙酯	Ethyl-4-Methoxycinnamate	C₁₂H₁₄O₃	2.276 6	0.000 3	-0.273 4
苯及其衍生物 Benzene and derivatives	2，6-二叔丁基-1，4-苯醌	2，6-di-tert-butyl-1，4-benzoquinone	C₁₄H₂₀O₂	2.071 8	0.001 6	-1.189 6
醇、胺类 Alcohols and amines classes	十六碳酰胺	Hexadecanamide	C₁₆H₃₃NO	2.376 8	0.000 3	-1.847 5
胆汁酸 Bile acids	猪去氧胆酸	Hyodeoxycholic acid	C₂₄H₄₀O₄	2.294 3	0.000 5	-1.051 6
辅酶和维生素 Coenzymes and vitamins	反式-13，14-二羟视黄醇（Z）-古尔司酮	All-Trans-13，14-Dihydroretinol （Z）-Guggulsterone	C₂₀H₃₂O	2.470 5	0.015 7	-3.156 6
辅酶和维生素 Coenzymes and vitamins	反式-13，14-二羟视黄醇（Z）-古尔司酮	All-Trans-13，14-Dihydroretinol （Z）-Guggulsterone	C₂₁H₂₈O₂	2.186 4	0.000 5	-0.464 7
甘油磷脂类 Glycerophospholipid classes	溶血磷脂酰丝氨酸_ LPS（20：1）	LPS（20：1）	C₂₆H₅₀NO₉P	2.566 4	0.000 2	-2.930 1
	LPE（O-18：2）	LPE（O-18：2）	C₂₃H₄₆NO₆P	2.227 2	0.000 3	-0.543 6
	LPC（O-16：1）	LPC（O-16：1）	C₂₄H₅₀NO₆P	2.193 5	0.001 3	-0.758 7
核苷酸及其代谢物 Nucleotides and metabolites	5'-腺苷酸硫酸（APS）	5'-Adenylyl sulfate （APS）	C₁₀H₁₄N₅O₁₀PS	2.074 2	0.004 1	-0.465 5
激素及激素相关物质 Hormones and hormone-related substances	7-酮胆固醇	7-Ketocholesterol	C₂₇H₄₄O₂	2.462 3	0.000 0	-1.295 0
激素及激素相关物质 Hormones and hormone-related substances	20，26-二羟基蜕皮激素	20，26-dihydroxyecdysone	C₂₇H₄₄O₈	2.134 8	0.004 0	-0.587 9
鞘脂类 Sphingolipid classes	鞘氨醇_SPH （d18：0）	SPH（d18：0）	C₁₈H₃₉NO₂	2.043 7	0.008 7	0.510 7
醛、酮、酯类 Aldehydes， ketones and esters classes	2-戊基-3-苯基-2-丙烯醛	2-Pentyl-3-phenyl-2-propenal	C₁₄H₁₈O	2.496 8	0.000 0	-0.870 9
碳水化合物及代谢物 Carbohydrates and metabolites	麦芽糖醇	Maltitol	C₁₂H₂₄O₁₁	2.573 8	0.000 2	2.863 4
有机酸及其衍生物 Organic acids and derivatives	2-羟基己二酸	2-Hydroxyadipic acid	C₆H₁₀O₅	2.315 0	0.000 3	0.306 4

Table 3

Fig.2

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Fig.6

References 40

[1]	张博，唐静，赵睿，等.种母鸭核黄素缺乏对子代雏鸭初生重、器官指数、体尺指标及血浆生化指标的影响［J］.动物营养学报，2020，32（5）：2185-2191.
	ZHANG B，TANG J，ZHAO R，et al.Effects of riboflavin deficiency in breeder ducks on birth weight，organ index，body size indexes and plasma biochemical indexes of offspring ducklings［J］.Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition，2020，32（5）：2185-2191.（in Chinese）
[2]	解广娟.公鸭精液品质及精浆蛋白组学的研究［D］.雅安：四川农业大学，2022.
	XIE G J.Study on semen quality and seminal plasma proteomics of male ducks［D］.Ya'an：Sichuan Agricultural University，2022.（in Chinese）
[3]	GRISWOLD M D.The central role of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis［J］.Semin Cell Dev Biol，1998，9（4）：411-416.
[4]	李金梅.雄激素通过间接调控PLZF介导的精原干细胞分化机制研究［D］.南京：南京农业大学，2016.
	LI J M.Study on the mechanism of androgens indirectly regulating PLZF-mediated spermatogonial stem cell differentiation［D］.Nanjing：Nanjing Agricultural University，2016.（in Chinese）
[5]	彭红波，刘晃，宋小燕，等.代谢组学技术对非梗阻性无精子症的诊断价值［J］.检验医学与临床，2023，20（5）：625-629.
	PENG H B，LIU H，SONG X Y，et al.Diagnostic value of metabolomics technology in non-obstructive azoospermia［J］.Laboratory Medicine and Clinic，2023，20（5）：625-629.（in Chinese）
[6]	ZHU Z，LI R，FENG C，et al.Exogenous oleic acid and palmitic acid improve boar sperm motility via enhancing mitochondrial beta-oxidation for ATP generation［J］.Animals （Basel），2020，10（4）：591.
[7]	KARAHALIL B.Overview of systems biology and omics technologies［J］.Curr Med Chem，2016，23（37）：4221-4230.
[8]	ZHAO Q，HUANG J F，CHENG Y，et al.Polyamine metabolism links gut microbiota and testicular dysfunction［J］.Microbiome，2021，9（1）：224.
[9]	SETIAWAN R，PRIYADARSHANA C，MIYAZAKI H，et al.Functional difference of ATP-generating pathways in rooster sperm （Gallus gallus domesticus）［J］.Anim Reprod Sci，2021，233：106843.
[10]	赵延辉，陈余，王梁，等.基于RNA-seq数据筛选鸡睾丸附睾间差异表达基因及其功能分析［J］.中国畜牧杂志，2022，58（1）：117-122.
	ZHAO Y H，CHEN Y，WANG L，et al.Screening of differentially expressed genes between testis and epididymis of chickens based on RNA-seq data and their functional analysis［J］.Chinese Journal of Animal Science，2022，58（1）：117-122.（in Chinese）
[11]	KUANG W，ZHANG J，LAN Z，et al.SLC22A14 is a mitochondrial riboflavin transporter required for sperm oxidative phosphorylation and male fertility［J］.Cell Rep，2021，35（3）：109025.
[12]	赵志显，常雪蕊，郭勇，等.种公鸡精液品质营养调控的研究进展［J］.畜牧兽医学报，2022，53（8）：2435-2443.
	ZHAO Z X，CHANG X R，GUO Y，et al.Research progress on nutritional regulation of breeder rooster semen quality［J］.Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica，2022，53（8）：2435-2443.（in Chinese）
[13]	JERYSZ A，LUKASZEWICZ E.Effect of dietary selenium and vitamin E on ganders' response to semen collection and ejaculate characteristics［J］.Biol Trace Elem Res，2013，153（1-3）：196-204.
[14]	WANG Y，FU X，LI H.Mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced sperm dysfunction［J］.Front Endocrinol （Lausanne），2025，16：1520835.
[15]	NICHOLSON J K，LINDON J C，HOLMES E.'Metabonomics'：understanding the metabolic responses of living systems to pathophysiological stimuli via multivariate statistical analysis of biological NMR spectroscopic data［J］.Xenobiotica，1999，29（11）：1181-1189.
[16]	HAN G，HONG S H，LEE S J，et al.Transcriptome analysis of testicular aging in mice［J］.Cells，2021，10（11）：2895.
[17]	PATTI G J，YANES O，SIUZDAK G.Innovation：Metabolomics：the apogee of the omics trilogy［J］.Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol，2012，13（4）：263-269.
[18]	YANG K，XIA B，WANG W，et al.A comprehensive analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics in cervical cancer［J］.Sci Rep，2017，7：43353.
[19]	WANG Y T，YANG Y，SUN X L，et al.Development of a widely-targeted metabolomics method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry［J］.Se Pu，2023，41（6）：520-526.
[20]	STOCKL J B，SCHMID N，FLENKENTHALER F，et al.Proteomic insights into senescence of testicular peritubular cells from a nonhuman primate model［J］.Cells，2020，9（11）：2498.
[21]	ALPAUGH W F，VOIGT A L，DARDARI R，et al.Loss of ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 impairs long-term differentiation competence and metabolic regulation in murine spermatogonial stem cells［J］.Cells，2021，10（9）：2265.
[22]	CAI X，WU S，MIPAM T，et al.Testis transcriptome profiling identified lncRNAs involved in spermatogenic arrest of cattleyak［J］.Funct Integr Genomics，2021，21（5-6）：665-678.
[23]	O'DONNELL L，REBOURCET D，DAGLEY L F，et al.Sperm proteins and cancer-testis antigens are released by the seminiferous tubules in mice and men［J］.FASEB J，2021，35（3）：e21397.
[24]	WENK M R.Lipidomics：new tools and applications［J］.Cell，2010，143（6）：888-895.
[25]	IUCHI K，TAKAI T，HISATOMI H.Cell Death via lipid peroxidation and protein aggregation diseases［J］.Biology （Basel），2021，10（5）：399.
[26]	LEE W K，LAM T K Y，TANG H C，et al.PFOS-elicited metabolic perturbation in liver and fatty acid metabolites in testis of adult mice［J］.Front Endocrinol （Lausanne），2023，14：1302965.
[27]	覃佐剑.基于LC-MS/MS氧化脂肪酸数据库的构建和应用［D］.北京：中国农业科学院，2020.
	QIN Z J.Construction and application of oxidized fatty acid database based on LC-MS/MS［D］.Beijing：Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences，2020.（in Chinese）
[28]	陈嘉康，吕春荣，苗永旺，等.脂质组学技术在家畜精液质量评价和体外保存研究中的应用研究进展［J］.中国畜牧兽医，2022，49（12）：4697-4706.
	CHEN J K，LV C R，MIAO Y W，et al.Research progress on the application of lipidomics technology in livestock semen quality evaluation and in vitro preservation［J］.China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine，2022，49（12）：4697-4706.（in Chinese）
[29]	FLESCH F M，GADELLA B M.Dynamics of the mammalian sperm plasma membrane in the process of fertilization［J］.Biochim Biophys Acta，2000，1469（3）：197-235.
[30]	胡学春.脂肪酸对小鼠睾丸支持细胞存活率的影响及机制研究［D］.南京：南京大学，2018.
	HU X C.Study on the effect and mechanism of fatty acids on the survival rate of mouse testicular Sertoli cells［D］.Nanjing：Nanjing University，2018.（in Chinese）
[31]	ILICETO M，STENSEN M H，ANDERSEN J M，et al.Levels of L-carnitine in human seminal plasma are associated with sperm fatty acid composition［J］.Asian J Androl，2022，24（5）：451-457.
[32]	ARSLAN E，KOYUNCU I，TEMIZ E，et al.Comparison of sperm carnitine profiles of normospermic，oligospermic and azospermic individuals［J］.Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci，2023，27（17）：8154-8162.
[33]	MATEUS F G，MOREIRA S，MARTINS A D，et al.L-carnitine and male fertility：Is supplementation beneficial？［J］.J Clin Med，2023，12（18）：5796.
[34]	VAN MEER G，VOELKER D R，FEIGENSON G W.Membrane lipids：where they are and how they behave［J］.Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol，2008，9（2）：112-124.
[35]	张宇霆.猪精子差异耐冻性机制与耐冻性生物标志物筛选［D］.哈尔滨：东北农业大学，2021.
	ZHANG Y T.Mechanism of differential freezing tolerance of boar sperm and screening of freezing tolerance biomarkers［D］.Harbin：Northeast Agricultural University，2021.（in Chinese）
[36]	ENGEL K M，BAUMANN S，ROLLE-KAMPCZYK U，et al.Metabolomic profiling reveals correlations between spermiogram parameters and the metabolites present in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma［J］.PLoS One，2019，14（2）：e0211679.
[37]	LI Y，HU Y，WANG Z，et al.IKBA phosphorylation governs human sperm motility through ACC-mediated fatty acid beta-oxidation［J］.Commun Biol，2023，6（1）：323.
[38]	何慧慧，刘卫红，贾瑞，等.当归芍药散对PM2.5致雄性生殖损伤大鼠睾丸组织代谢组学的影响［J］.郑州大学学报（医学版），2022，57（1）：38-44.
	HE H H，LIU W H，JIA R，et al.Effect of Danggui Shaoyao Powder on metabolomics of testicular tissue in rats with male reproductive injury induced by PM2.5［J］.Journal of Zhengzhou University （Medical Sciences），2022，57（1）：38-44.（in Chinese）
[39]	AM-IN N，KIRKWOOD R N，TECHAKUMPHU M，et al.Lipid profiles of sperm and seminal plasma from boars having normal or low sperm motility［J］.Theriogenology，2011，75（5）：897-903.
[40]	陈佳颖，马博闻，赵青余，等.公猪精液质量与精子脂质成分相关性研究［J］.中国畜牧兽医，2024，51（4）：1537-1548.
	CHEN J Y，MA B W，ZHAO Q Y，et al.Study on the correlation between boar semen quality and sperm lipid components［J］.China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine，2024，51（4）：1537-1548.（in Chinese）

Differential Analysis of Testicular Metabolites Associated with Semen Quality in Ducks

RichHTML

PDF (PC)

Knowledge

Abstract

Cite this article

share this article

Figures/Tables 9

References 40

Related Articles 15

Recommended Articles

Metrics

Comments

[1]	WANG Yajun, LIU Qi, WANG Yangyang, HE Lei, WEI Ying, CHEN Songbiao, YU Zuhua, DING Ke, CHEN Jian. Study on the Effect of EAV-HP Integration in the 5’ Non-Coding Region of the SLCO1B3 Gene on the Liver Metabolomics of Luhua Chicken [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2026, 57(1): 476-485.
[2]	TU Minhang, CAI Gentan, SONG Yanze, AN Guihua, WU Jiangheng, MA Longfei, SHI Zhendan, HAN Guofeng, CHEN Zhe, WANG Tian, WANG Chao. Dietary Lycium barbarum Flavonoids Improve Muscle Quality of Meat Ducks by Regulating Nrf/HO-1 Signaling Pathway [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(8): 3922-3932.
[3]	CHEN Liu, XIANG Shengrui, YUN Tao, NI Zheng, HUA Jionggang, ZHU Yinchu, ZHANG Cun, YE Weicheng. Construction and Evaluation of Immune Protection Capacity of a Recombinant Duck Enteritis Virus Deleting UL35 Gene [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(8): 3933-3941.
[4]	ZHENG Hao, LUO Fang, SONG Chenglei, TAO Jinzhong. Screening Potential Plasma Biomarkers of Non-pregnant Dairy Cows after Artificial Insemination Based on Metabolomics Technology [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(7): 3252-3264.
[5]	HUO Zhen, ZHUANG Lei, ZHOU Wei, WANG Shuaiqin, XIE Ming, HOU Shuisheng, HOU Shuisheng. Effects of Dietary Folic Acid Levels on Production Performance, Plasma Biochemical Indicators and Antioxidant Capacity of Pekin Ducks from 1 to 21 Days of Age [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(7): 3327-3334.
[6]	LI Ting, ZHANG Chengcheng, WANG Xiuling, ZHANG Xiaorong, WU Yantao. Isolation and Identification of a Novel Duck Reovirus Strain and the Sequence Analysis of Its σC Gene [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(5): 2520-2524.
[7]	MENG Xiangxu, LI Jia, REN Deming, CHEN Kuirong, HE Yiyun, WANG Lixian, SHENG Xihui, WANG Ligang. Study on Serum Metabolomics of High and Low Resilience Group of Min Pigs with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(4): 1689-1699.
[8]	YE Rungen, LIU Yuanbo, LU Lili, Collins Amponsah Asiamah, SU Ying*. Expression of miR-215-5p in Leizhou Black Duck Tissues and Its Effect on Follicular Granulosa Cells Proliferation and Apoptosis [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(4): 1722-1730.
[9]	WANG Xinxin, LIU Xiaoying, WANG Yi, WANG Fang, ZHAO Han, DU Zhiqiang, YANG Caixia. Acute Heat Stress Affects the Functions of Porcine Sertoli Cells via Decreasing Taurine Level [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(4): 1779-1790.
[10]	YU Jiangwei, CHENG Huimin, LIN Jian, YANG Baolin, HUANG Cheng, YANG Zhiyuan, HU Ge. Establishment and Application of TaqMan Fluorescent Quantitative PCR Detection Method for Duck Plague Virus [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(2): 765-773.
[11]	WU Jiahui, SHEN Shiyan, DENG Jinbo, WU Haiyang, REN Zhixin, WU Yangbo, HUANG Juan, HUANG Haobin, PAN Weixiong, ZHAO Zengjue, HE Rongxiao, SUN Chongjun, ZHANG Linghua. Construction of Recombinant Lactococcus lactis Inducible Expressing HA Protein of H5N1 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus and Analysis of Its Immunogenicity in Ducks [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(2): 774-787.
[12]	GU Yayi, XIA Sugan, LIU Pengli, ZOU Hui, GU Jianhong, YUAN Yan, LIU Xuezhong, LIU Zongping, BIAN Jianchun. Damaging Effect of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on the Testicles of Male Ducks [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(2): 925-933.
[13]	GAO Zhimiao, NI Haihua, WANG Yanping, ZHAO Xueyan, LI Jingxuan, WANG Jiying, ZHANG Qin. Application of Metabolomics in Genetic Analysis of Important Economic Traits in Pigs [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(10): 4787-4795.
[14]	WENG Ziyuan, CEN Ting, MA Ye, ZHENG Enpei, WU Xuan, LENG Jun, WANG Zuzhong, WANG Yuanyuan, YE Ziying, LI Minhong, HU Changmin. Evaluation of Efficacy and Urine Metabolomics of a Prescription Cans for Feline Urinary Tract [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2025, 56(10): 5289-5301.
[15]	Yudian SUN, Ziyue SONG, Hongliang ZHANG, Zhihua QIN, Hu SHAN, Ruimei YANG. Isolation and ldentification of Duckling Short Beak and Dwarfism Syndrome Virus [J]. Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica, 2024, 55(8): 3623-3630.