Comparison of the semen characteristics of Fengjing, Meishan and Yorkshire boars

Abstract

Semen characteristics of Chinese Fengjing, CHinese Meishan and American Yorkshire boars were examined. Samples were collected from 24 boars: 6 Fengjing, 12 Meishan and 6 Yorkshire. Three semen characteristics and 6 biochemical evaluations of semen or seminal plasma were analyzed. The whole semen parameters measured were gelatinous (gel) and gel-free volume and progressive motility. Fengjing boars were higher in gel volume than Meishan ( P < 0.05) but not Yorkshire boars ( P > 0.25), while Yorkshire boars were higher than Meishan boars in gel volume ( P < 0.10). The gel-free volume was higher in Yorkshire and Fengjing boars than Meishan boars ( P < 0.10), but Fengjing gel-free volumes did not differ from Yorkshire gel-free volumes ( P > 0.80). However, the only difference detected for progressive motility was between Fengjing and Meishan boars (78.5 vs 74.5%; P < 0.10). Sperm concentration was higher in Meishan than Yorkshire boars ( P < 0.01) although these breeds did not differ from Fengjing boars ( P > 0.18). The biochemical messurements made were fructose, galactose, inositol, total carbohydrate and total protein in seminal plasma and pH in gel-free semen. Fengjing boars had higher concentrations of galactose in seminal plasma than Meishan or Yorkshire boars ( P < 0.05), while Meishan seminal plasma had higher galactose concentrations than Yorkshire seminal plasma ( P < 0.10). Fructose, inositol and total carbohydrate concentrations were all higher in Fengjing and Meishan seminal plasma than Yorkshire seminal plasma ( P < 0.05). Fengjing seminal plasma had higher levels of inositol than Meishan seminal plasma (769 vs 566 mg/100 ml; P < 0.10). Furthermore, Fengjing and Meishan semen had similar fructose and total carbohydrate concentrations ( P > 0.80). The pH level and total protein concentration did not differ among the 3 breeds ( P > 0.30). This study indicated that breed differences were detected for several seminal parameters, although no single breed had consistantly higher values for all the parameters measured.