Correlation of sperm parameters with fertility in two commercial pig lines

Background: One of the most important parameters to be considered in the assessment of male fertility or in the evaluation of methods to preserve sperm cells is the study of sperm viability. Considering that semen quality is of great importance for artificial insemination AI) in sows and for the production of an optimal number of piglets, complementary test results can be correlated with the number of piglets born after AI. The present study aimed to characterise the seminal pattern of breeding boars from two commercial lines and to correlate this pattern with the prolificacy of sows.Materials, Methods & Results: The reproductive performance of four boars from two commercial lines (A and B) was determined by evaluating physical and morphological semen parameters and by conducting a complementary analysis of semen. Semen was subjected to the following parameters: total sperm motility, sperm vigor, major sperm defects, minor sperm defects, and total sperm defects, in addition to complementary tests (supravital staining and hypoosmotic swelling tests). The semen was evaluated immediately after collection and every 12 h for up to 72 h of cold storage. A total of 163 breeding sows were inseminated. To evaluate sow prolificacy, the total number of piglets born was recorded. In general, the values obtained for the tests assessing sperm viability (particularly sperm motility and...(AU)

Correlation of sperm parameters with fertility in two commercial pig lines

Background: One of the most important parameters to be considered in the assessment of male fertility or in the evaluation of methods to preserve sperm cells is the study of sperm viability. Considering that semen quality is of great importance for artificial insemination AI) in sows and for the production of an optimal number of piglets, complementary test results can be correlated with the number of piglets born after AI. The present study aimed to characterise the seminal pattern of breeding boars from two commercial lines and to correlate this pattern with the prolificacy of sows.Materials, Methods & Results: The reproductive performance of four boars from two commercial lines (A and B) was determined by evaluating physical and morphological semen parameters and by conducting a complementary analysis of semen. Semen was subjected to the following parameters: total sperm motility, sperm vigor, major sperm defects, minor sperm defects, and total sperm defects, in addition to complementary tests (supravital staining and hypoosmotic swelling tests). The semen was evaluated immediately after collection and every 12 h for up to 72 h of cold storage. A total of 163 breeding sows were inseminated. To evaluate sow prolificacy, the total number of piglets born was recorded. In general, the values obtained for the tests assessing sperm viability (particularly sperm motility and...

Viabilidade espermática do sêmen congelado de suínos da raça Piau avaliada pelo teste de termorresistência / Spermatic viability of cryopreserved semen of Piau swine breed analyzed by thermo resistant test

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar o efeito de três protocolos de criopreservação de sêmen sobre a viabilidade espermática pós-descongelamento de suínos da raça Piau, avaliados por meio do teste de termorresistência (TTR). Para o congelamento, os ejaculados foram fracionados e submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: protocolo 1 -preconizado por Fürst et al. (2005), modificado quanto aos meios diluentes; protocolo 2 -preconizado por Fürst et al. (2005), modificado quanto à curva de resfriamento; e protocolo 3 -preconizado por Ohata et al. (2001). Após o descongelamento o sêmen foi submetido ao teste de termo-resistência (38 °C por 2 horas), procedendo-se avaliações de motilidade e vigor espermáticos a cada 30 minutos. As médias registradas para motilidade imediatamente após o descongelamento foram de 20,9±12,4; 29,5±10,9 e 49,5±12,1%; respectivamente para os protocolos 1, 2 e 3. Os resultados do TTR evidenciam queda gradual dos parâmetros de MOT ao longo de 2 horas de duração nos três protocolos utilizados. Observou-se que os valores médios de motilidade espermática verificados no protocolo 3 foram maiores que as registradas nos outros dois protocolos, em todos os períodos avaliados. Do mesmo modo, a porcentagem média de espermatozoides móveis obtidos no protocolo 2 foi maior que a obtida no protocolo 1 nos primeiros 30 minutos de avaliação, sendo que após este período não houve diferença entre eles. Com relação ao vigor espermático entre os protocolos, verificou-se que o protocolo 3 apresentou resultados melhores em relação aos demais. As melhores médias para o protocolo 3, demonstram a superioridade do mesmo na criopreservação das células espermáticas dos animais do presente estudo.

The objective of this study was to verify three protocols of semen cryopreservation on spermatic viability after thawing from Piau swine breed, by thermo resistant test (TRT). To freezing, the ejaculates was split and submitted to three protocols: Protocol 1 -proposed by Furst et al. (2005), altered by diluent media; Protocol 2 -proposed by Furst et al. (2005), altered by cooled curve; and Protocol 3 -proposed by Ohata et al. (2001). After thawing, semen was submitted to TRT (37°C during 2 hours), and sperm motility was analyzed at 30 minutes of interval. Motility after thawing was 20.9±12.4, 29.5±10.9 and 49.5±12.1%, respectively to P1, P2 and P3. The TRT results show gradually decrease of motility and vigor along 2 hours of test procedure utilized. It was observed that the mean values of sperm motility observed in protocol 3 were higher than those recorded in the other two protocols in all periods. Similarly, the mean percentage of motile spermatozoa obtained in protocol 2 was higher than that obtained in protocol 1 in the first 30 minutes of evaluation, and after this period there was no difference between them. Regarding the sperm vigor between protocols, it was found that the protocol 3 showed better results than the other. The protocol 3 tested by Piau boars show highest values in cellular semen cryopreservation.

Effect of scrotal insulation on physical and morphological semen features in young cattle / Efeito da insulação scrotal sobre as características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen de touros jovens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and morphological characteristics of semen from young cattle subjected to experimental testicular degeneration by scrotal insulation method. There were used three animals of the Holstein breed with an average of 12 months of age undergoing breeding soundness examination weekly for a period of 10 weeks. Semen was collected from animals by the method of electroejaculation and evaluated for physical characteristics of semen, sperm morphology and thermo-resistance test. Scrotal insulation for 120 hours increased scrotal temperature by 3.4 °C. The rectilinear progressive sperm motility and sperm vigor decreased between 7 to 28 days post-insulation (p<0.05) and sperm incidence with abnormal head increased between 21 to 35 days post-insulation. There was a decrease (p<0.05) in sperm motility during thermo-resistance test, for the periods post-insulation, indicating low sperm viability. The testicular degeneration induced by insulation bags may be temporary and even animals during puberty and adolescence have the ability for restructuring of the seminiferous epithelium and restoration of normal sperm production, although there is need for more recovery time.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen de bovinos jovens submetidos à degeneração testicular experimental pelo método de insulação escrotal. Foram utilizados três animais da raça Holandesa, com uma média de 12 meses de idade, submetidos a exame andrológico semanalmente por um período de 10 semanas. O sêmen foi coletado pelo método de eletroejaculação e os animais avaliados quanto às características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen e teste de termorresistência. A insulação escrotal por 120 horas aumentou a temperatura escrotal em 3,4 °C. A motilidade espermática progressiva retilínea e vigor espermático diminuiram entre 7 a 28 dias pós-insulação (p<0,05) e a incidência de espermatozóides com a cabeça anormal aumentou entre 21 a 35 dias pós-insulação. Houve uma diminuição (p<0,05) na motilidade espermática durante o teste de termorresistência, nos períodos pós-insulação, indicando baixa viabilidade espermática. A degeneração testicular induzida por sacos de isolamento pode ser temporária e até mesmo animais durante a puberdade e adolescência têm a capacidade de reestruturação do epitélio seminífero e restauração da produção espermática normal, embora haja necessidade de maior tempo de recuperação.

Effect of scrotal insulation on physical and morphological semen features in young cattle / Efeito da insulação scrotal sobre as características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen de touros jovens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and morphological characteristics of semen from young cattle subjected to experimental testicular degeneration by scrotal insulation method. There were used three animals of the Holstein breed with an average of 12 months of age undergoing breeding soundness examination weekly for a period of 10 weeks. Semen was collected from animals by the method of electroejaculation and evaluated for physical characteristics of semen, sperm morphology and thermo-resistance test. Scrotal insulation for 120 hours increased scrotal temperature by 3.4 °C. The rectilinear progressive sperm motility and sperm vigor decreased between 7 to 28 days post-insulation (p<0.05) and sperm incidence with abnormal head increased between 21 to 35 days post-insulation. There was a decrease (p<0.05) in sperm motility during thermo-resistance test, for the periods post-insulation, indicating low sperm viability. The testicular degeneration induced by insulation bags may be temporary and even animals during puberty and adolescence have the ability for restructuring of the seminiferous epithelium and restoration of normal sperm production, although there is need for more recovery time.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen de bovinos jovens submetidos à degeneração testicular experimental pelo método de insulação escrotal. Foram utilizados três animais da raça Holandesa, com uma média de 12 meses de idade, submetidos a exame andrológico semanalmente por um período de 10 semanas. O sêmen foi coletado pelo método de eletroejaculação e os animais avaliados quanto às características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen e teste de termorresistência. A insulação escrotal por 120 horas aumentou a temperatura escrotal em 3,4 °C. A motilidade espermática progressiva retilínea e vigor espermático diminuiram entre 7 a 28 dias pós-insulação (p<0,05) e a incidência de espermatozóides com a cabeça anormal aumentou entre 21 a 35 dias pós-insulação. Houve uma diminuição (p<0,05) na motilidade espermática durante o teste de termorresistência, nos períodos pós-insulação, indicando baixa viabilidade espermática. A degeneração testicular induzida por sacos de isolamento pode ser temporária e até mesmo animais durante a puberdade e adolescência têm a capacidade de reestruturação do epitélio seminífero e restauração da produção espermática normal, embora haja necessidade de maior tempo de recuperação.(AU)

Viabilidade espermática do sêmen congelado de suínos da raça Piau avaliada pelo teste de termorresistência / Spermatic viability of cryopreserved semen of Piau swine breed analyzed by thermo resistant test

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar o efeito de três protocolos de criopreservação de sêmen sobre a viabilidade espermática pós-descongelamento de suínos da raça Piau, avaliados por meio do teste de termorresistência (TTR). Para o congelamento, os ejaculados foram fracionados e submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: protocolo 1 -preconizado por Fürst et al. (2005), modificado quanto aos meios diluentes; protocolo 2 -preconizado por Fürst et al. (2005), modificado quanto à curva de resfriamento; e protocolo 3 -preconizado por Ohata et al. (2001). Após o descongelamento o sêmen foi submetido ao teste de termo-resistência (38 °C por 2 horas), procedendo-se avaliações de motilidade e vigor espermáticos a cada 30 minutos. As médias registradas para motilidade imediatamente após o descongelamento foram de 20,9±12,4; 29,5±10,9 e 49,5±12,1%; respectivamente para os protocolos 1, 2 e 3. Os resultados do TTR evidenciam queda gradual dos parâmetros de MOT ao longo de 2 horas de duração nos três protocolos utilizados. Observou-se que os valores médios de motilidade espermática verificados no protocolo 3 foram maiores que as registradas nos outros dois protocolos, em todos os períodos avaliados. Do mesmo modo, a porcentagem média de espermatozoides móveis obtidos no protocolo 2 foi maior que a obtida no protocolo 1 nos primeiros 30 minutos de avaliação, sendo que após este período não houve diferença entre eles. Com relação ao vigor espermático entre os protocolos, verificou-se que o protocolo 3 apresentou resultados melhores em relação aos demais. As melhores médias para o protocolo 3, demonstram a superioridade do mesmo na criopreservação das células espermáticas dos animais do presente estudo.(AU)

The objective of this study was to verify three protocols of semen cryopreservation on spermatic viability after thawing from Piau swine breed, by thermo resistant test (TRT). To freezing, the ejaculates was split and submitted to three protocols: Protocol 1 -proposed by Furst et al. (2005), altered by diluent media; Protocol 2 -proposed by Furst et al. (2005), altered by cooled curve; and Protocol 3 -proposed by Ohata et al. (2001). After thawing, semen was submitted to TRT (37°C during 2 hours), and sperm motility was analyzed at 30 minutes of interval. Motility after thawing was 20.9±12.4, 29.5±10.9 and 49.5±12.1%, respectively to P1, P2 and P3. The TRT results show gradually decrease of motility and vigor along 2 hours of test procedure utilized. It was observed that the mean values of sperm motility observed in protocol 3 were higher than those recorded in the other two protocols in all periods. Similarly, the mean percentage of motile spermatozoa obtained in protocol 2 was higher than that obtained in protocol 1 in the first 30 minutes of evaluation, and after this period there was no difference between them. Regarding the sperm vigor between protocols, it was found that the protocol 3 showed better results than the other. The protocol 3 tested by Piau boars show highest values in cellular semen cryopreservation.(AU)