Abstract
The Kolbroek pig is an early maturing breed (maturing at 4 to 5 months) that grows more slowly than modern pig breeds. There is general concern that the genetic variation within Kolbroek pig breed is becoming extinct. The aim of the study was to compare semen quality of epididymal spermatozoa derived from slaughtered Large White × Landrace and Kolbroek boars aged between 7 and 9 months. Kolbroek (n = 10) and Large White × Landrace (n = 10) boars were used in this study. Semen was collected from the head of epididymis of Kolbroek and Large White × Landrace testicles. Spermatozoa samples were extracted from head of epididymis by making incision with a razor. Semen samples were then evaluated for macroscopic (semen volume, pH, and concentration) and microscopic characteristics (spermatozoa motility and morphology). Spermatozoa motility was evaluated using computer-aided sperm analysis. Analysis of variance was used to test the difference between the breeds. The average percentage of Kolbroek and Large White × Landrace spermatozoa total motility was 92.4 ± 4.0 and 94.0 ± 4.1%, respectively (P > 0.05). The spermatozoa velocity on the curve line for Kolbroek was lower (147.2 ± 39.2) compared with the Large White × Landrace (178.3 ± 30.1 μm/s; P > 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the 2 breeds for rapid spermatozoa and total spermatozoa motility. No significant differences were observed in Kolbroek and Large White × Landrace boar semen volume (8 and 9 mL, respectively) or semen pH (7.0). The average spermatozoa concentration for Kolbroek and Large White × Landrace was 2.5 ± 1.2 and 1.1 ± 1.0 (×109 mL−1), respectively (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between Kolbroek and Large White × Landrace in abnormal spermatozoa morphology. However, spermatozoa with distal, head, and midpiece abnormalities were significantly different in Kolbroek (14.0 ± 3.6; 3.6 ± 6.0 and 3.4 ± 3.7%) and Large White × Landrace breed (5.4 ± 4.7; 4.7 ± 1.0 and 0.4 ± 1.0%), respectively. In conclusion, macroscopic and microscopic epididymal spermatozoa characteristics of Kolbroek were similar to those of Large White × Landrace boars, except for head and distal spermatozoa abnormalities.
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