Paraoxonase 1 activity in the sperm-rich portion of boar ejaculates is positively associated with sperm quality

Associations of the activity of the paraoxonase 1 (PON1) enzyme with boar sperm quality still needs to be characterized, since boar ejaculates present distinct portions with differences in sperm concentration and quality. This study evaluated PON1 activity in the serum, in the distinct portions of boar ejaculates and estimated correlations with sperm quality parameters. Ejaculates and blood samples were collected from six boars for three weeks (two per week per boar; n = 36). Serum and post-spermatic portion PON1 activities were positively correlated (P = 0.01) but were both uncorrelated with the PON1 activity in the sperm-rich portion and in the whole ejaculate (P > 0.05). Differences in PON1 activity among boars were only observed in the sperm-rich portion of the ejaculate (P < 0.05). The PON1 activity in the serum and in the post-spermatic portion was generally negatively correlated with parameters of spermatozoa kinetics (P < 0.05). In the sperm-rich portion, PON1 activity was positively correlated with sperm concentration (P < 0.0001), curvilinear distance and velocity (both P < 0.05) and DNA integrity (P < 0.05), but negatively correlated with straightness and linearity (P < 0.05). Thus, boar ejaculates with increased PON1 activity in the sperm-rich portion may present increased concentration and spermatozoa with acceptable curvilinear velocity and distance and DNA integrity, which suggests that PON1 activity may be a biomarker for potential fertility.(AU)

The implementation of a HACCP system improved the efficiency of a bull semen collection and processing center

Bull Semen Collection and Processing Centers (SCPC) have satisfactory control of sperm quality, but commonly lack standardized quality control of hygiene procedures. This study assessed the impact of implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in a bull SCPC, comparing microbial counts on various steps of semen processing, semen quality and costs across two periods (before and after the HACCP implementation). After surveying all routine activities of the SCPC, control points were identified, preventive measures were designed and corrective actions were employed, whenever necessary. Six months after HACCP implementation, the system was audited and production data covering two similar periods of two consecutive years were compared. Counts of colony forming units in samples collected from artificial vaginas, flexible tubes from the straw filling machine and from fresh and frozen semen after HACCP implementation were lower than during the previous period (P < 0.05). Improved post-thawing sperm motility, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity (P < 0.0001) and reduced rejection of semen batches and frozen doses were observed after HACCP implementation (P < 0.01), resulting in reduced opportunity costs. Thus, the implementation of a HACCP system in a bull SCPC allowed low-cost production of high-quality semen doses with reduced microbial contamination.

The implementation of a HACCP system improved the efficiency of a bull semen collection and processing center

Bull Semen Collection and Processing Centers (SCPC) have satisfactory control of sperm quality, but commonly lack standardized quality control of hygiene procedures. This study assessed the impact of implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in a bull SCPC, comparing microbial counts on various steps of semen processing, semen quality and costs across two periods (before and after the HACCP implementation). After surveying all routine activities of the SCPC, control points were identified, preventive measures were designed and corrective actions were employed, whenever necessary. Six months after HACCP implementation, the system was audited and production data covering two similar periods of two consecutive years were compared. Counts of colony forming units in samples collected from artificial vaginas, flexible tubes from the straw filling machine and from fresh and frozen semen after HACCP implementation were lower than during the previous period (P < 0.05). Improved post-thawing sperm motility, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity (P < 0.0001) and reduced rejection of semen batches and frozen doses were observed after HACCP implementation (P < 0.01), resulting in reduced opportunity costs. Thus, the implementation of a HACCP system in a bull SCPC allowed low-cost production of high-quality semen doses with reduced microbial contamination.(AU)

Pontos críticos na central de difusão genética / Critical points in the genetic diffusion center

A suinocultura brasileira tem uma expectativa de crescimento de 2,4% para o ano de 2017, segundoABPA. Com o crescimento do setor foi necessária a automatização que gerou maior eficiência na produção dedoses inseminantes de suínos em centrais de difusão genética, considerando que as biotécnicas utilizadas buscamotimizar o material genético dos machos, sendo tanto na diminuição do número de células espermáticas por dose,como no número de doses por inseminação. Torna-se cada vez mais necessária a implantação de programas decontrole de qualidade com métodos responsáveis para garantir um produto com maior segurança ao produtor. Oobjetivo da presente revisão foi descrever etapas no processamento da dose inseminante que afetam a qualidadeseminal.(AU)

Brazilian pig farms have an expected growth of 2.4% for the year 2017, according to ABPA. With thegrowth of the sector it was necessary the automation that generated greater efficiency in the production ofinseminating doses of pigs in genetic diffusion centers. Considering that the biotechniques used seek to optimizethe genetic material of the males being both in the decrease of the number of sperm cells per dose as in thenumber of doses per insemination. Thus, it is increasingly necessary to implement quality control programs withresponsible methods to guarantee a product with greater security to the producer. The aim of the present reviewwas to describe steps in insemination dose processing that affect seminal quality.(AU)

Pontos críticos na central de difusão genética / Critical points in the genetic diffusion center

A suinocultura brasileira tem uma expectativa de crescimento de 2,4% para o ano de 2017, segundoABPA. Com o crescimento do setor foi necessária a automatização que gerou maior eficiência na produção dedoses inseminantes de suínos em centrais de difusão genética, considerando que as biotécnicas utilizadas buscamotimizar o material genético dos machos, sendo tanto na diminuição do número de células espermáticas por dose,como no número de doses por inseminação. Torna-se cada vez mais necessária a implantação de programas decontrole de qualidade com métodos responsáveis para garantir um produto com maior segurança ao produtor. Oobjetivo da presente revisão foi descrever etapas no processamento da dose inseminante que afetam a qualidadeseminal.

Brazilian pig farms have an expected growth of 2.4% for the year 2017, according to ABPA. With thegrowth of the sector it was necessary the automation that generated greater efficiency in the production ofinseminating doses of pigs in genetic diffusion centers. Considering that the biotechniques used seek to optimizethe genetic material of the males being both in the decrease of the number of sperm cells per dose as in thenumber of doses per insemination. Thus, it is increasingly necessary to implement quality control programs withresponsible methods to guarantee a product with greater security to the producer. The aim of the present reviewwas to describe steps in insemination dose processing that affect seminal quality.