Ejaculate properties and reproductive efficiency of large white boars during exploitation

The main objective of this study was to assess the variability of ejaculate properties: volume of ejaculate (VOL, ml), sperm concentration (CON, spermatozoa/ml), total sperm count (NT) and the number of doses produced (NPD) per ejaculate under the influence of season, boar and the interval between two mounts. Reproductive efficiency of boars was analysed based on the farrowing rate (FR). The study included 341 ejaculates from seven Large White boars. Impact assessment was carried out by applying the GLM procedure of the statistical package SAS 9.1.3. The average values of VOL, CON, NT, NPD and FR were: 244.28 ml, 203.77x106 spermatozoa/ml, 43.48x109 spermatozoa, 17.39 doses and 67.58%. Ejaculate properties varied under the influence of season (P<0.01, P<0.001). The interval between two mounts did not affect only the variability of CON. The difference between the best and worst boars was 91.99x106 spermatozoa/ml of ejaculate (P<0.001). During summer VOL ejaculate was the lowest (191.36 ml). The highest NPD (19.04 doses) was produced during the autumn months, and during the same period the highest concentration of sperm was recorded (242.16x106 spermatozoa/ml). Regardless of the differences in the farrowing rate between boars not being statistically significant (P=0.0882), it is necessary to perform the ranking and promptly identify boars with farrowing rate below average.

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Oxytocin in pig seminal plasma is positively related with in vivo fertility of inseminated sows

Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology ◽

10.1186/s40104-021-00620-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lorena Padilla ◽

Marina López-Arjona ◽

Silvia Martinez-Subiela ◽

Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez ◽

Jordi Roca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seminal Plasma ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Peptide Hormone ◽

Large White ◽

Male Reproductive Function ◽

Farrowing Rate

Abstract Background Identification of relevant in vivo biomarkers for fertility remains a challenge for the livestock industry. Concentrations of the small peptide hormone oxytocin (OXT), involved in male reproductive function and present in the seminal plasma (SP) of several species could be a robust one. This study characterized concentrations of SP-OXT in ejaculates from boars used in artificial insemination (AI) programs aiming to evaluate its relationship with sperm quality variables and in vivo fertility of their liquid-stored AI-semen. Seminal OXT concentrations (ng/mL) were measured in 169 ejaculates from 61 boars of the Duroc, Pietrain, Landrace and Large White breeds using a direct competitive immunoassay test based on AlphaLISA® technology. Ejaculate (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count) and sperm parameters (motility, viability, intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species, plasma membrane fluidity) were assessed at 0 h and 72 h in AI-semen samples stored at 17 °C. In vivo fertility included only 18 Large White and Landrace boars whose AI-semen was used to inseminated > 100 sows and evaluated both farrowing rate and litter size of 3,167 sows. Results The results showed that SP-OXT differed between boars and between ejaculates within boar (P < 0.05) but not between breeds (Duroc, Pietrain, Landrace and Large White). Ejaculates with higher SP-OXT concentration/mL (hierarchically grouped; P < 0.001) had larger volume and came from younger boars (P < 0.05). Ejaculates of boars showing positive farrowing rate deviation exhibited higher (P < 0.05) SP-OXT concentration/mL than those with negative farrowing rate deviation. Conclusion The SP concentrations of OXT are boar, ejaculate and age dependent, and positively related with ejaculate volume and farrowing rates of liquid-stored semen AI-doses.

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Effect of breed of performance tested boars on ejaculate traits

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah2003309s ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 309-316

Author(s):

Radomir Savic ◽

Dragan Radojkovic ◽

Nenad Stojiljkovic ◽

Nenad Parunovic ◽

Marija Gogic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Performance Test ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Production Performance ◽

Large White ◽

Longissimus Dorsi Muscle ◽

Meat Content ◽

Weak Association ◽

Daily Gain

The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of breed on the traits of boar ejaculate: ejaculate volume (VOL, ml), sperm concentration (CON, x106 sperm/ml), total sperm count in ejaculate (TNS, x109 spermatozoa), sperm motility in native ejaculate (MON, %), sperm motility after dilution (MOD, %) and number of doses produced (NPD). The aim was also to evaluate the correlation of the boar performance test traits: average life daily gain (g), backfat thickness measured in two locations (mm), depth of longissimus dorsi muscle (mm) and carcass meat content (%) with ejaculate traits. Total of 931 ejaculates of 36 boars during reproductive exploitation were analysed (16 Landrace boars and 20 Large White boars). The effect was assessed using the procedure of the general linear model of the statistical package SAS 9.1.3 (SAS Inst. Inc., 2002- 2003). The model for analysis included the influence of breed, season and the linear regression influence of body weight at the end of the performance test. The correlation of the traits was determined by applying the Pearson?s correlation coefficient. Most of the examined ejaculate traits (VOL, CON, MOD and NPD) varied under the influence of boar breed (p<0.01; p<0.001). Weight at the end of the test (p<0.05; p<0.01; p<0.001) affected all examined traits, except CON and TNS. A weak association was found between production performance and ejaculate traits.

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COMPERATIVE STUDY OF THE REGULATIES OF FAT DEPOSIT IN THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF TRUNK OF YOUNG PIGS OF THE LARGE WHITE AND MYRGOROD BREEDS

Animal Breeding and Genetics ◽

10.31073/abg.52.16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 128-133

Author(s):

I. V. Khatko ◽

A. O. Onyshchenko ◽

V. O. Vovk ◽

T. M. Konks

Keyword(s):

Statistical Processing ◽

Fat Deposition ◽

Thoracic Vertebra ◽

Control Group ◽

Large White ◽

Young Pigs ◽

Fat Deposits ◽

Fat Thickness ◽

The Difference ◽

Different Parts

The modern state of social-economic processes development demands increasing the level of food safety of the state, especially providing population by the high quality foods of domestic production, specifically by pork. One of criteria for estimating pigs' meatness is determining the fat thickness in different points of a trunk. The informative content of measuring in different parts of a trunk is different and it needs detailed study. The fat thickness is the most common as trait for pigs' meatness in the practice of pig breeding because it has high correlation with meat yield in carcasses. The aim of our research was the comparative study of fat deposition regularities in different parts of a trunk of Large White and Mirgorod pigs in different age periods. For conducting researches 24 pigs of both breeds with average live weight about 40 kg and at age not more 4 months were selected. The fat thickness was measured at live animals using ultrasonic device Draminski in such points: on withers, the level of the 6-7th thoracic vertebra, the level of the 1st-2nd loins vertebra and sacrum. Measuring the fat thickness was carried out at the age of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 months. During researches it was carried out the statistical processing of obtained material. Reliability of obtained indexes of productivity was determined. Regularities of formatting fat thickness and fat deposition rate depending on the age were studied. For the results of researches it has been studied and compared economically valuable traits of the most spread domestic pigs of Large White and Mirgorod breeds. By comparative study of growth and development of young pigs of experimental and control groups it has been found that animals of Large White breed differed by lesser fat deposits in all points of measuring. Thus, at 6-months’ age they had lesser thickness of fat in all parts of a trunk. More expressed tendency was at withers and the level of the 6-7th thoracic vertebra, at that in the first case the difference between groups was reliable (p < 0.01). The fat deposition rate in young pigs of both breeds was not the same in different points of measuring along a trunk. Above mentioned tendencies were intensified with the age. Purebred animals of intrabreed type LW-1 at 7-months’ age had reliable less thickness of fat in comparison with the control group: on withers (p < 0.01), at the level of the 6-7th thoracic vertebra, the level of the 1st-2nd loins vertebra (p < 0.05) and on sacrum (p < 0.01). In future, according to economic and scientific expediency, the animals of Mirgorod breed were excluded from the experiment. Concerning Large White breed, the researches were finished when animals were at 8 months’ age. The process of fat deposition in Large White pigs was less intensive in comparison to Mirgorod breed. The highest relative rate of fat thickness increase in both breeds was observed at the level of the 1st-2nd loins vertebra. By statistical processing of the obtained materials it has been found that the difference of average arithmetical indexes (as absolute and relative) between the experimental and control groups during growth and development had distinct tendency to increasing in all points of measuring. The reliability of the difference between the averages in groups with the age of animals increased. A higher reliability of data was obtained at measuring of the front parts of a trunk of pigs at the level of the 6th-7th thoracic vertebra and on withers. The carried out researches at all points of measuring give the reason to confirm that the fat deposits of Large White pigs are less comparing to Mirgorod breed. Conclusions. 1. Carcasses of animals of intrabreed type ULW-1 are comparatively more technologically suitable and economically beneficial for agricultural proceeding industry. 2. Animals of intrabreed type ULW-1 at 7-months’ age had reliable less thickness of fat in comparison with the control group: on withers, at the level of the 6-7th thoracic vertebra, the level of the 1st-2nd loins vertebra and on sacrum. 3. The process of fat deposition in Large White pigs was less intensive in comparison to Mirgorod breed.

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Urinary Bisphenol A, F and S Levels and Semen Quality in Young Adult Danish Men

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041742 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1742

Author(s):

Thea Emily Benson ◽

Anne Gaml-Sørensen ◽

Andreas Ernst ◽

Nis Brix ◽

Karin Sørig Hougaard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bisphenol A ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Parental Education ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

First Trimester ◽

Negative Binomial Regression Model

Bisphenol A (BPA) is considered an endocrine disruptor and has been associated with deleterious effects on spermatogenesis and male fertility. Bisphenol F (BPF) and S (BPS) are structurally similar to BPA, but knowledge of their effects on male fertility remains limited. In this cross–sectional study, we investigated the associations between exposure to BPA, BPF, and BPS and semen quality in 556 men 18–20 years of age from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort. A urine sample was collected from each participant for determination of BPA, BPF, and BPS concentrations while a semen sample was collected to determine ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. Associations between urinary bisphenol levels (continuous and quartile–divided) and semen characteristics were estimated using a negative binomial regression model adjusting for urine creatinine concentration, alcohol intake, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), fever, sexual abstinence time, maternal pre–pregnancy BMI, and first trimester smoking, and highest parental education during first trimester. We found no associations between urinary bisphenol of semen quality in a sample of young men from the general Danish population.

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SARS-CoV-2 and the reproductive system: known and the unknown..!!

Middle East Fertility Society Journal ◽

10.1186/s43043-020-00046-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Indu Sharma ◽

Priti Kumari ◽

Anuradha Sharma ◽

Subhas Chandra Saha

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Vertical Transmission ◽

Reproductive System ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Reproductive Potential ◽

Oocyte Quality ◽

Main Body ◽

Close Monitoring

Abstract Background COVID-19 is the most recent zoonotic outbreak of coronaviruses. Mostly, it invades the cells of the respiratory system by binding to the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) which is also present in other organs like the kidney, testis, ovaries, breast, heart, and intestine, rendering them prone to be infected. The reproductive potential is a must for the sustenance of any species and it is our prime duty to safeguard the reproductive system of the present generation from such a deadly virus. The previously reported coronaviruses like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) had a detrimental impact on reproductive organs. There is a dearth of sufficient research to provide substantial evidence for the harmful effects of this novel virus on the reproductive system. Hence, our review compiles the knowledge available until now to boost research in this regard and to take the necessary steps in time. Main body of abstract Here we tried to compile all the data available on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the reproductive system as well as vertical transmission of the virus. All related articles published from February to August 2020 were reviewed and thoroughly analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 has been found to affect the sperm concentration and motility, thus degrading the fertility of males. In females, it is suspected that this virus affects the oocyte quality and ovarian function, resulting in infertility or miscarriage. Traces of SARS-CoV-2 virus have also been found in the breast milk of the infected mothers and the semen of infected males. Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has also been reported in some cases. Conclusion Based on the literature review, SARS-CoV-2 seems to have the potential of affecting both male and female reproductive tracts. This review brings together the findings and observations made in the area of reproductive health during the current pandemic. The reproductive system of the young population is preordained for subsequent disorders, infertility, reduced sperm count, and motility. Therefore, the research and medical practices should focus on possible vulnerability being posed by SARS-CoV-2 to the gametes and future generations. We, hereby, recommend close monitoring of young and pregnant COVID-19 patients concerning reproductive health with utmost priority.

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DNA fragmentation and morphometric studies in sperm of stallions supplemented with maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199420000751 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Emanuele D’Anza ◽

Sara Albarella ◽

Giacomo Galdiero ◽

Simona Tafuri ◽

Chiara Del Prete ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Food Supplementation ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Economic Management ◽

Lepidium Meyenii ◽

The Andes ◽

Length Width

Summary The reproductive performances of livestock play an essential role in the economic management of the farm. The improvement of semen quantity and quality through the use of food supplements that lack substances which are forbidden in animal feeding, or that may have detrimental effects, is an important goal. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that has been used for centuries in the Andes for nutrition and fertility enhancement in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of food supplementation of stallions with maca during the breeding season on spermatozoa parameters such as DNA fragmentation and shape, which are two predictive indexes of spermatozoa functionality. For this purpose, ejaculate volume, semen gel-free volume, sperm concentration and motility, total sperm count, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm head parameters (length, width, perimeter, area, shape factor, roughness) were measured in four stallions. Maca food supplementation in stallions during breeding reduced the percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA, increased significantly sperm concentration and exerted an elongation of the spermatozoa head, a condition that is believed to improve spermatozoa functionality, suggesting that food supplementation of maca could be useful in horse breeding during the breeding season.

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Analysis of the breeding records of a herd of pigs

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600045731 ◽

1954 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 19-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

R. Braude ◽

P. M. Clarke ◽

K. G. Mitchell

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Large White ◽

Seasonal Differences ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

The Difference ◽

Length Of Gestation

1. A survey and. statistical analysis of the records of litters born in the N.I.R.D. herd of Large White pigs over a period of 16 years are presented.2. The mean length of gestation was 114 days for both gilts and sows.3. The mean numbers of pigs born alive and born dead per litter from gilts, 10·0 and 0·2 respectively, were both significantly smaller than the corresponding figures for sows, 11·8 and O·8. No seasonal differences were found.4. The mean total losses of pigs from birth to weaning at 8 weeks were 29·5% of pigs born alive. The losses in litters from gilts, 23·0%, were significantly smaller than in litters from sows, 31·0%. The losses during the winter months both for gilts, 32·5%, and for sows, 35·9%, were significantly higher than during the summer months, 19·4% and 26·7% for gilts and sows respectively.5. Over 50% of the total losses were due to crushing by the dam, 74·1% of the losses from this cause occurring during the first 48 hr. after birth.6. The mean number of pigs weaned per litter was 8·0. The difference between the number weaned per litter from gilts, 7·7, and per litter from number of pigs was weaned per litter from sows during the summer months, 8·7, than during the winter months, 7·4.7. There was no significant difference between the number of male and of female pigs weaned.8. The mean weight at weaning was 29·9 lb., male pigs, 30·3 lb., being significantly heavier than females, 29·51b. Pigs in litters from gilts, 27·81b., were significantly lighter at weaning than those from sows, 30·0 lb., and for both gilts and sows, pigs reared during the summer months, 29·7 and 31·8 lb. respectively, were significantly heavier than those reared during the winter months, 25·9 and 28·2 lb. respectively.

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Semen Viability Properties of Sexually Stimulated Boars on the Fertilization Capacity of Artificially Inseminated Large White Sows

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.bf-1413 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tshepo Teele

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Practical Method ◽

Return Rate ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Large White ◽

Sexual Stimulation ◽

Semen Collection ◽

Fertilization Capacity ◽

Farrowing Rate

Background: This study aimed to investigate the influences of sexual preparation on the effects of boars’ semen viability on the fertilization capacity of artificially inseminated sows. After all, boar sires more pigs than farrowed by a sow which the boar has been mated to improve reproductive parameters in response to AI. Methods: The semen viability of boars were studied during various sexual stimulations and analyzed during the study period. Sperm rich fractions were collected and separated at every level of sexual stimulation during the morning (08:30) and the afternoon (14:30) hours, respectively. Artificial insemination was performed following three levels of sexual preparations of boars (0 minutes of sexual restraint (MSR), 5 MSR and 10 MSR) before semen collection. Receptive sows were inseminated and evaluated for fertility traits using non-return rate, farrowing rate and litter size. Result: The non-return rate was recorded as a percentage of sows conceived after insemination over the total number of sows inseminated. The farrowing rate was recorded as a percentage of sows that farrows over the number of sows conceived and litter size as several live piglets per sow. Sexual desire was influenced by sexual preparations and significantly influenced the fertility of the artificially inseminated sows. This study is of practical significance to the animal breeder mainly because boars have greater influence than sows on the average litter size and live piglets. The study concludes that the use of at least 5 to 10 minutes of sexual restraint during the afternoon periods prior to semen collection and artificial insemination is found to be a practical method for optimizing sperm viability and fertility of sows in the intensive system.

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What Is the Impact of Excessive Iodine and Semen Quality in Fertile Men of China: An Association Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-243767/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ning Wang ◽

Fang Lv ◽

Ge Yu ◽

Cuige Shi ◽

Shangming Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Urinary Iodine ◽

Iodine Concentration ◽

Male Reproduction ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Human Thyroid ◽

Urinary Iodine Concentration ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Iodine is an essential element for hormones synthesized by the human thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone deficiency affects all body tissues, including multiple endocrine changes that alter growth hormones, corticotrophin, glucocorticoids, and gonadal function. In many countries, subfertility is an important problem affecting about 10–15% of all couples trying to conceive. Male subfertile factors have accounted for 25–30% of all cases in their studies. The aim of this study was to study the correlation between urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and semen quality of fertile male in China.Methods: semen and urine samples were collected from males who attended a survey for the reproductive physiological constants of male and female in China. All participants were fertile and they should be free from diseases of male reproductive system and thyroid related diseases. We studied the correlation between UIC and semen quality parameters in fertile males and the effect of iodine concentration on male reproduction. Participants were divided into six groups based on UIC. We measured semen parameters and UIC. Semen parameters or time-to-pregnancy (TTP) were analyzed by Spearman correlation, linear regression and multivariable logistic regression. Results: 1089 men were recruited in the study. The mean and median age of participants were 27.46±0.12 and 27±3.88 years, respectively. UIC of 274 (25.16%) men was lower than the UIC of WHO recommended. UIC of 405 men located in the region of WHO recommended. 62.35% of them were not located in the optimal region. Semen concentration and total sperm count were found to decrease when UIC increases when the UIC≥100 ug/L. Conclusions: A male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC has more risk of lower semen quality such as sperm concentration and total sperm count. In addition, if a male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC, his wife has longer TTP than the males who had normal UIC. Deficient UIC associated with lower semen quality and TTP than excessive UIC.

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REPRODUCING QUALITIES OF RAMS OF THE MOLDOVAN TYPE KARAKUL BREED

Animal Breeding and Genetics ◽

10.31073/abg.59.10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 ◽

pp. 92-96

Author(s):

D. Rotari

Keyword(s):

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Sperm Production ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

High Quality ◽

Average Percentage ◽

Reproductive Ability ◽

First Time

Issues related to the reproduction of animals have been and remain one of the most complex and relevant problems of biology and are constantly finding a direct and effective way out into livestock farming practice. The rational use of breeding sheep as producers is limited by the lack of standard, objective methods and methods for the timely assessment of their reproductive ability. The article presents the results of evaluating the sperm production of rams-producers. For the first time, the freshly obtained sperm of rams of Moldavian type producers of the Karakul breed was evaluated using the macroscopic method - ejaculate volume, color and smell, as well as the microscopic method - motility, sperm concentration in the ejaculate, total sperm count in the ejaculate sperm movements (VAP; VSL and VCL) as well as the percentage of abnormal forms of sperm. The experiments were carried out on sheep producers grown on a pedigree farm of the experimental farm of the Moldavian Scientific and Practical Institute of Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine. As a result of the studies, it was found that the ejaculate volume on average was 0.99 ± 0.04 ml, motility was 0.95 ± 0.02 and sperm concentration 1.51 ± 0.14 billion/ml. The percentage of pathological forms in sperm averaged 13.72 ± 0.61, an indicator that characterizes the high quality of sperm. The average quality indicator of ejaculates obtained from ram-producers of the Moldavian type of the Karakul breed corresponds to physiological standards for the Karakul breed. The average percentage of pathological forms of sperm found in ejaculates indicates that the rams were in good conditions of feeding and keeping. According to research, we can say that the Moldovan type of Karakul rams can be successfully used to obtain high quality ejaculates suitable for freezing sperm at 196°C.

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