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

Abstract

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 × 10⁹ mL⁻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.