Effect of Season Influencing Semen Characteristics, Frozen-Thawed Sperm Viability and Testosterone Concentration in Duroc Boars

Y M Cheon,Y J Yi,C B Yang,H K Kim,C S Park

doi:10.5713/ajas.2002.500

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of season influencing semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration in Duroc boars. There were no significant differences in the semen volume and sperm concentration of Duroc boars among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, the pH of sperm-rich and sperm-poor fractions in autumn and winter season was higher than in spring and summer season in Duroc boars. Sperm motility and normal acrosome of raw semen in Duroc boars did not differ significantly among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, motility and normal acrosome of frozen-thawed sperm were higher in spring season than in summer, autumn and winter. Serum testosterone concentrations in Duroc were higher in spring than summer, autumn and winter. In conclusion, when serum testosterone concentrations were higher in seasons, frozen-thawed sperm viability in Duroc boars were higher. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 4 : 500-503)

Highlights

Semen production of boars is influenced by many factors, such as breed, age, nutrition, environmental effects, health status and frequency of use, which result in great variations of semen characteristics (Hughes and Varley, 1980)
Seasonal changes were influenced by photoperiod (Claus and Weiler, 1985a) and temperature (Mazzari et al, 1968)
There were no significant differences in the semen volume and sperm concentration of Duroc boars among spring, summer, autumn and winter

Summary

Introduction

Semen production of boars is influenced by many factors, such as breed, age, nutrition, environmental effects, health status and frequency of use, which result in great variations of semen characteristics (Hughes and Varley, 1980). Borg et al (1993) reported that characteristics of sperm morphology did not differ among breeds of boars. EFFECT OF SEASON ON DUROC BOAR SEMEN This study was carried out to investigate the effects of season influencing semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability, and serum testosterone concentration in Duroc boars.

Results

Conclusion