165 Comparison of spermatozoa traits and testosterone levels, seminal plasma constituents, and lipid peroxidation of Large White×Landrace and Kolbroek boars

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
T. R. Netshirovha ◽  
R. S. Thomas ◽  
A. T. Kanengoni ◽  
M. B. Matabane ◽  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
...  

Reproductive traits in domestic pigs are one of the most important economic characteristics for improved pig production. Seminal plasma (SP) constituents provide a better indicator of male fertility as measured by semen traits. The objective of this study was to compare spermatozoa traits, testosterone concentration, SP constituents, and lipid peroxidation in Large White×Landrace (LW×LR) and Kolbroek boars aged between 8 and 9 months. Kolbroek (n=12) and LW×LR (n=12) boars were used in this study. Semen was collected using the gloved-hand technique. Blood samples were collected from each boar monthly to determine testosterone concentrations. Spermatozoa motility traits was evaluated using computer-aided sperm analysis. Spermatozoa viability was evaluated using the hyperosmotic swelling test, lipid peroxidation was evaluated using the malondialdehyde (MDA) test, and SP protein was evaluated using atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis. Analysis of variance was used to test the difference between the breeds. The LW×LR boars had higher ejaculation volume and testosterone concentrations (P<0.05) than Kolbroek boars. The average spermatozoa concentration for Kolbroek and LW×LR boars was 1.8±1.0 and 1.9±1.1×109mL−1, respectively (P>0.05). The average genotype spermatozoa total motility was 91.7±4.0 and 90.6±4.1%, respectively (P>0.05). No significant differences were found between genotype in abnormal spermatozoa morphology, rapid spermatozoa, and total spermatozoa motility, spermatozoa velocity on the curve line, and hyperosmotic swelling test. Spermatozoa with distal, head, and midpiece abnormalities were significantly different in Kolbroek boars (17.1±1.4, 5.0±2.0, and 7.0±2.6%, respectively) and LW×LR boars (9.2±0.1, 3.5±1.1, and 2.6±1.2%, respectively). The LW×LR boars had lower levels of MDA than Kolbroek boars (P<0.05). The SP constituents with selenium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium were significantly different in Kolbroek boars (166.6±1.0, 167.2±0.2, 5.0±0.8, and 10.2±0.3%, respectively) and LW×LR boars (155.0±0.0, 140.0±0.5, 12.0±0.2, and 22.3±0.0%, respectively). In conclusion, spermatozoa parameters of Kolbroek boars were similar to those of LW×LR boars except for semen volume, head and distal spermatozoa abnormalities, testosterone concentration, MDA, and seminal plasma. Further studies need to be conducted on the major seminal plasma constituents as well as their physiological roles.

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
T. R. Netshirovha ◽  
A. T. Kanengoni ◽  
M. B. Matabane ◽  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
A. Maqhashu ◽  
...  

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.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiří Šichtař ◽  
Filipa Bubeníčková ◽  
Jitka Sirohi ◽  
Ondřej Šimoník

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of two types of seminal plasma (SP) after thawing on the functional characteristics of frozen–thawed (F–T) spermatozoa of poor freezing stallions during prolonged incubation periods. Seminal plasma from stallions with 35–40% (standard seminal plasma, (S-SP)) and 60–70% (above standard seminal plasma, (A-SP)) progressively motile spermatozoa after thawing was used. The motility, kinematic parameters (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis), distribution of spermatozoa into subpopulations, integrity (carboxyfluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide staining), and functionality (hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test) of the spermatozoa plasma membrane were evaluated after thawing (T0) and after 30 min (T30) of incubation at 37 °C. There was no effect of SP addition on spermatozoa motility, but there was a significant positive effect on the kinematic parameters at T0 and T30. The addition of SP significantly increased the percentage of spermatozoa in the fast subpopulation at T0 as well as at T30. Plasma membrane integrity was not affected by the treatment, but functionality significantly decreased by 5% compared to the control group when samples were incubated for 30 min with A-SP. In conclusion, generally, the post-thaw addition of seminal plasma positively affected the post-thaw quality of semen from poor freezing stallions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Orzołek ◽  
Paweł Wysocki ◽  
Jerzy Strzeżek ◽  
Magdalena Koziorowska-Gilun ◽  
Anna Dziekońska ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyse sperm proteomes of ejaculates from Polish Large White (PLW) and Polish Landrace (PL) boars and to identify differences which putatively influence semen quality. Spermatozoa protein profiles were analysed by electrophoretic methods followed by selected techniques to evaluate semen quality on the following factors: sperm motility, lipid peroxidation levels (MDA production), ATP content, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) of seminal plasma. A protein with an estimated molecular weight of 30 kDa was found in spermatozoa of selected ejaculates. Mass spectrometry demonstrated that this polypeptide is most similar to proacrosin binding protein (sp32). The presence of the protein was more frequently observed in sperm extracts obtained in spring-summer period. Ejaculates containing sp32-like protein demonstrated significantly higher spermatozoa motility, lower inhibition of MDA production by seminal plasma, and higher SOD activity in seminal plasma. Boar semen which included sp32-like protein also demonstrated lower ATP levels in spermatozoa as well as higher TAS and lower TOS of seminal plasma, though the differences were not statistically significant. Ejaculates from PLW boars, with sp32-like protein present in sperm, were characterised by significantly higher sperm motility, lower ATP content in spermatozoa, and higher TAS of seminal plasma. The diminished parameters of semen quality were observed in ejaculates from PL boars that also contained the discussed protein, but the differences were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that the presence of sp32-like protein in boar spermatozoa could influence semen quality


2016 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 128-133
Author(s):  
I. V. Khatko ◽  
A. O. Onyshchenko ◽  
V. O. Vovk ◽  
T. M. Konks

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 293-294
Author(s):  
Murat Baymishev ◽  
Sergey Eremin ◽  
Kirill Plemyashov ◽  
Khamidulla Baymishev ◽  
Igor Konopel’tsev ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the etiopathogenesis of reproductive dysfunction in highly productive cows. Studies were conducted on cows of black-motley breed, aged 3–5 lactations, with a live weight of 480–520 kg. Cows were divided into two groups. The first group included 20 cows effective inseminated after the first insemination. The second group included 17 cows that did not fertilize after the first insemination. Blood samples (n = 253) were taken from 4–7; 14–17; 24–34; 35–50; 88–95; 195–210 days of pregnancy; during the beginning of dry period (DP); 1–4 days before calving and on the first day after calving. The content of total serum lipids in pregnant animals was 15.8% higher compared to unfertilized animals. In non-pregnant cows, a decrease in free cholesterol (by 28.65%), especially in its ether-bound fraction (14.91%), indicates a lower synthetic function of the liver, which is confirmed by the low serum levels of vitamins A and E (a difference of 11.3 and 23.65%). The DP was characterized by a significant increase in the products of lipid peroxidation - malondialdehyde by 12–17%, diene and triene conjugates - by 10–15 and 8–15%, respectively, and 1–4 days before calving in cows, which subsequently had a pathological calving, in particular - retention of placenta (5 cows), were characterized by an increased content in the blood plasma of lipid peroxidation products. Thus, the difference in the number of dienes, trienes, and malondialdehyde products was 14.0, 12.0, and 23.5%, compared with animals without obstetric pathology. On the first day after calving, this difference increased even more. Cows with retention of placenta had a significantly higher level of lipid peroxidation products and were characterized by a predominance of oxidized products over the antiradical thiol disulfide and ascorbate systems restored in the antioxidant balance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocío Fernández-Gago ◽  
Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez ◽  
Marta E. Alonso ◽  
J. Ramiro González ◽  
Beatriz Alegre ◽  
...  

Seminal plasma could have positive effects on boar semen after thawing. In the present study we investigated changes in the motility and chromatin structure in spermatozoa over 4 h incubation (37°C) of boar semen thawed in the presence of 0%, 10% or 50% seminal plasma from good-fertility boars. Cryopreserved doses were used from seven males, three of which were identified as susceptible to post-thawing chromatin alterations. Motility was analysed by computer-aided sperm analysis every hour, and data were used in a two-step clustering, yielding three subpopulations of spermatozoa (slow non-linear, fast non-linear, fast linear). Chromatin structure was analysed using a sperm chromatin structure assay and flow cytometry to determine the DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) as a percentage, the standard deviation of the DFI (SD-DFI) and the percentage of high DNA stainability (%HDS), indicating chromatin compaction. Thawing without seminal plasma resulted in a rapid loss of motility, whereas seminal plasma helped maintain motility throughout the incubation period and preserved the subpopulation comprising fast and linear spermatozoa. The incidence of chromatin alterations was very low in samples from non-susceptible males, whereas samples from males susceptible to post-thawing chromatin alterations exhibited marked alterations in %DFI and %HDS. Seminal plasma partly prevented these alterations in samples from susceptible males. Overall, 50% seminal plasma was the most efficient concentration to protect motility and chromatin. Some changes were concomitant with physiological events reported previously (e.g., semen thawed with 50% seminal plasma increased the production of reactive oxygen species and yielded higher fertility after AI). Thawing in the presence of seminal plasma could be particularly useful in the case of samples susceptible to post-thawing chromatin damage.


1954 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Braude ◽  
P. M. Clarke ◽  
K. G. Mitchell

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.


Author(s):  
I. A. Pushkaryev ◽  
N. M. Kostomakhin ◽  
S. V. Burtseva ◽  
N. A. Novikov

The reproductive traits of sows are of paramount importance in the production of high-quality pork. The world experience of pig farming shows the need to solve first of all the feed problem. Diets unbalanced in the content of vitamins restrain the manifestation of genetically inherent high prolificacy of sows. The purpose of the research was to study the influence of feeding the vitamin feed additive “LipoCar” on the reproductive traits of sows and the biochemical parameters of blood serum. The results of research on the introduction of vitamin feed additive “LipoCar” into the diet of pregnant sows have been presented in the article. The experiment has been carried out in the production conditions in JSC “Linevsky pedigree farm” on sows of Large White breed. Pregnant sows have received a basic diet, balanced for all the normalized elements of nutrition. Sows of the experimental group in the composition of the basic diet fed the feed additive “LipoCar”. The dosage of the drug “Lipocar” was 2,1 g/head/day. “Lipocar” has been fed for 20 days. The total duration of the experiment was 3 months. When introducing the vitamin feed additive “LipoCar” into the main diet of sows in the second half of pregnancy the increase in the number of piglets in the litter by 1,6-6,8 % and the weight of the litter – by 5,6-56,2 % (P ≤ 0,001) have been revealed in comparison with the control group of animals. There was a higher content of carotene in the blood serum of sows of the experimental group by 50,0 % (P ≤ 0,01), vitamin A - by 48,7 % (P ≤ 0,05), and total protein – by 4,9 % (P ≤ 0,05).


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Leahy ◽  
J. I. Marti ◽  
G. Evans ◽  
W. M. C. Maxwell

Seminal plasma improves the functional integrity of compromised ram spermatozoa but has been reported to be toxic to sorted spermatozoa. The present study attempted to clarify this paradoxical effect and improve the functional integrity of spermatozoa following sorting and cryopreservation. The in vitro function of sorted spermatozoa (motility characteristics and membrane integrity) was examined after supplementation with differing concentrations and protein fractions of seminal plasma at various stages of the sorting and freezing process. For all experiments, spermatozoa (two males, n = four ejaculates per male) were processed through a high-speed flow cytometer before cryopreservation, thawing and incubation for 6 h (37°C). Supplementation of crude seminal plasma (CP), its low molecular weight fraction (LP; <10 kDa) or protein-rich fraction (SPP; >10 kDa), immediately before freezing improved the functional integrity of sorted spermatozoa compared with no supplementation (control), whereas supplementation after thawing had no effect for CP and LP. The protective effect of seminal plasma was not altered by increasing the amount of protein supplementation. No toxic effect of CP, SPP or LP was evident even when supplemented at high protein concentrations. It is concluded that seminal plasma protein, if added to ram spermatozoa after sorting and before freezing, can improve post-thaw sperm quality and consequently the efficiency of sorting. This effect is most likely related to protection of the spermatozoa during freeze–thawing.


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