The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of using different extenders viz. Androhep, Safecell Plus and SUS during cryopreservation on quality of frozen-thawed boar semen. Semen volume, sperm motility, sperm concentration, percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate and activity of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assessed in fresh semen collected from 39 fertile AI boars. Semen from each boar was divided into three portions and diluted 1:1.5 in extender Androhep, Safecell Plus and SUS and keep at 17&deg;C for 15-h holding time before cryopreservation. Then sperm was cryopreserved. Straws were thawed in a water bath at 38&deg;C for 40s and post-thaw sperm motility with AST activity was assessed. &nbsp;Significant difference in post-thaw sperm motility was found between extender Androhep and Safecell Plus (P&lt;0.05). AST activity did not differ significantly between tested extenders (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the results of the study indicate that using Safecell Plus extender during holding period before cryopreservation significantly affected post-thaw sperm motility.

Effect of different extenders on quality of frozen-thawed boar semen

<div style="text-align: justify;">This study aimed to investigate the influence of negative pressure on boar semen quality during liquid preservation at 17&deg;C. Semen samples from ten large white boars were collected and pooled, divided into four equal parts, and diluted with Modena containing 0.4% (w/v) of bovine serum albumin. The semen samples were placed in a closed container with valve, and a negative pressure was applied for 2&ndash;5 minutes using a vacuum pump with a barometer. The control group had no treatment, the P200 group was treated at 200 mbar, the P400 group at 400 mbar, and the P800 group at 800 mbar. During liquid preservation, sperm motility, total antioxidant capacity, and semen H2O2 content were analyzed every 24 h. The effective survival time of boar semen during preservation was evaluated. The results indicated that a suitable negative pressure decreased the effects on reactive oxygen species on boar sperm quality during liquid preservation compared with the control group. Among all the groups, the 400 mbar negative pressure group had the highest sperm motility, total antioxidant capacity, and the percentage of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential. The P400 group also had semen H2O2 content than the other groups. A suitable negative pressure improves sperm quality by reducing oxidative stress and the respiratory metabolism of sperm, and the optimum negative pressure is 400 mbar.</div>

Effects of negative pressure on boar semen quality during liquid storage at 17&deg;C

The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo fertility of frozen thawed boar semen. Twenty ejaculates collected from six mature boars were frozen in a programmable freezer. After freezing the semen was evaluated for different sperm quality parameters. Twenty five sows were inseminated artificially utilizing frozen thawed semen. The percentage of sperm motility, live sperm, live intact acrosome, plasma membrane intact sperm, HOST-reacted sperm, live sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid peroxidised sperm and DNA-damaged sperm of frozen semen utilised for AI were 56.25 &plusmn; 0.96, 63.75 &plusmn; 1.47, 59.88 &plusmn; 1.09, 41.08 &plusmn; 1.01, 40.31 &plusmn; 1.02, 86.23 &plusmn; 1.29, 9.28 &plusmn; 0.83 and 4.20 &plusmn; 0.29 respectively. The farrowing rate was 44.00 per cent and the mean litter size at birth was 5.91 &plusmn; 0.69. It could be concluded that the freezing and insemination protocol of boar semen used in the present study resulted in moderate fertility of frozen boar semen and it would help in further improvement and utilization of frozen boar semen for AI in India.

First report on in vivo fertility trial of frozen thawed boar semen in India#

<div>Background: With the increasing application of artificial insemination technology in boars, breeding efficiency is largely determined by the quality of semen preservation. With the prolonged storage of semen at room temperature in vitro, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage organelles and plasma membranes and ultimately lead to a decline in semen quality. 
 
Methods: In order to improve the preservation of semen at 17&deg;C, this experiment investigated the effect of different concentrations (0, 10, 15, 25, 35 &micro;g/mL) of coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) in Modena dilution on the quality of boar semen during storage at 17&deg;C. The sperm motility, mitochondrial activity, total antioxidant (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed at 17&deg;C at different times (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 d). 
 
Result: The results showed that the addition of Co-Q10 has a positive effect during the preservation of boar semen at 17&deg;C. On the 5th day, the sperm motility of the 25 &micro;g/mL Co-Q10 group was 73.80% and the mitochondrial activity was 82.94%, which was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than that of other groups. In terms of antioxidant levels, the MDA content of the 25 &micro;g/ml and 35 &micro;g/ml Co-Q10 groups on the 5th day was significantly lower (P&lt;0.05) than that of the other groups. At the same time, the 25 &micro;g/ml group could effectively enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the SOD and T-AOC were 17.33 U/mL and 3.17 U/mL on the 5th day significantly higher than the other groups (P&lt;0.05). The results showed that the most appropriate concentration of Co-Q10 when storing boar semen at 17&deg;C was 25 &micro;g/ml.</div>

The Effect of the Addition of Co-Q10 on the Preservation of Boar Semen at 17&deg;C

<div>Background: This study aimed to investigate the influences of sexual preparation on the effects of boars&rsquo; 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.&nbsp; 
 
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.</div>

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

<div style="text-align:justify">A total of &nbsp;30 ejaculates comprising five from each &nbsp;of six boars (three Hampshire and three Rani breeds) were collected to study the effect of &nbsp;DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) on preservability &nbsp;and fertility &nbsp;of &nbsp;boar semen at liquid state at 15&deg;C in ten extenders viz.Androheps+Strepto-penicillin+Gentamycin GEPS+Strepto-penicillin+Gentamycin, Androheps + 1% DMSO, Androheps + 0.7% DMSO, Androheps + Gentamicin sulfate + 0.5% DMSO,Androheps +Strepto-penicillin + 0.5% DMSO, GEPS (Glucose-sodium salt of EDTA-potassium sodium tartrate-sodium citrate dihydrate) + 1% DMSO, GEPS+0.7% DMSO, GEPS+Gentamicin sulfate+0.5% DMSO and GEPS+ Strepto-penicillin + 0.5% DMSO extenders. After holding semen each ejaculate was split into 10 parts and extended (1:3) with the said experimental dilutors and preserved at 15&deg;C in refrigerator up to 168 hr. The evaluation of sperm motility and Hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) of preserved semen samples were recorded at 0 (just after extension), 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hr as per the standard method. The results indicated that the addition of DMSO in extenders had no significant effect on preservability of boar semen at 15&deg;C.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on preseservabilty of boar semen at 15&deg;c</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of negative pressure applied before storage on the quality and fertilization ability of boar semen. Boar semen samples were collected and pooled, and diluted with Modena solution containing 0.4% (w/v) of bovine serum albumin. Negative pressure was applied for 2&ndash;5 min using a vacuum pump with a barometer. The pressure applied were 0 (Control), -0.02 MPa (P200), -0.04 MPa (P400), and -0.08 MPa (P800). The sperm motility, acrosome integrity and sperm fertilizing ability were evaluated. Application of &ndash;0.04 MPa improved the sperm motility, acrosome integrity and fertilizing ability, compared with the other groups. The sperm motility and acrosome integrity decreased with increasing storage time in vitro. After 5 days, the sperm motility and acrosome integrity of the P400 group were all higher than those of the other groups (P &lt; 0.05). The cleavage rate (64.5% &plusmn; 2.4%) and blastocyst development rate (33.9% &plusmn; 2.8%) for semen stored for 7 days were similar to those of fresh semen. In conclusion, application of &ndash;0.04 MPa before liquid storage at 17&deg;C can improve the quality and fertilization ability of boar semen.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effects of negative pressure applied before storage (liquid storage, 17&deg;C) on boar semen quality and fertilization ability</div>

<div>Background: Artificial Insemination in pigs is much easier than other domestic species but the training of boar for the collection of semen is a big constraint. Certain boars are not acquainted with the fixed steel dummy sow and the surrounding environment. Hence, the dummy sows brought in the boar&rsquo;s pen. The steel dummy sow in comparison to wooden is too heavy and found difficult to bring in a boar&rsquo;s pen. Moreover, the wooden dummy sows are locally made and it becomes cost-effective too. The present study was designed to assess the libido and semen quality of boars by using locally made low-cost portable wooden dummy sows. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted on 16 numbers of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and Mizoram local Zovawk crossbred boars at the age of 10-12 months. The semen collection was done by using a homemade portable &ldquo;wooden dummy sow&rdquo; and steel made &ldquo;fixed dummy sow.&rdquo; The training was done every morning before feeding and semen was collected twice a week by using the gloved hand method when the boars mounted over the dummy sow by holding protruded and erected corkscrew end of the penis firmly. During collection, libido characteristics of the boars were recorded and semen quality was determined.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The duration of training taken by the boars for semen collection was significantly (P&lt;0.01) less in portable wooden dummies. The sexual behaviour and other behavioural traits were better when boars were trained on a portable wooden dummy. The mean semen volume, sperm mass activity, pH and sperm concentration of LWY crossbred boar was not significantly&nbsp;different between fixed steel and portable wooden dummy. The percentage of initial sperm motility and intact acrosome of boar spermatozoa was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in portable wooden dummy. In&nbsp; conclusion, the homemade portable &ldquo;wooden dummy sow&rdquo; was found to be very effective for the training and collection of semen from breedingboars.</div>

Assessment of Libido and Semen Quality of Boar by using Low-cost Portable Wooden Dummy Sow

Background: Aloe vera is a perennial herbaceous plant that resembles like a cactus that thrives in arid, warm climates. It has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. Though it is used for treatment of variety of ailments and improves the body&rsquo;s physiology but continued treatment of fresh extract Aloe vera lowered sperm concentration, motility andpercentage viability, resulting in higher sperm abnormalities. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of different percentage of dried Aloe vera leaf powder on sperm quality of crossbred boar (75% Yorkshire x 25% Zovawk) with GEPS extender. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The study was conducted on three mature, Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and Zovawk (75% LWY and 25% Zovawk) crossbred boars. A total of 45 ejaculates, 15 from each boar were taken for the study. Each ejaculate was combined 1:1 with extender (GEPS) and divided into three aliquots, each of which was diluted with 0%, 5% and10% Aloe vera powder (PH 7.4) and stored for 48 hours at 17&deg;C in a BOD incubator. At 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after preservation, the stored semen sample was tested for progressive motile sperm by traditional method, live sperm by Eosin-Nigrosin staining, acrosome integrity by Giemsa staining andsperm membrane integrity by HOST test, total protein, sperm membrane protein, cholesterol, ALT and AST level. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The per cent sperm motility, live sperm, acrosomal integrity and plasma membrane integrity of boar spermatozoa was decreased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The level of total protein, ALT and AST in seminal plasma was increased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The level of sperm membrane protein and cholesterol of boar spermatozoa decreased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The total per cent of sperm abnormalities was increased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. In conclusion, the dried Aloe vera leaf powder @ 5% and 10% level having detrimental effect on semen quality of crossbred (75% Large White Yorkshire and 25% Zovawk) boar while preserving with ZEPS extender at 17&deg;C. The quality of boar semen was deteriorated chronologically at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours preservation with GEPS extender along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C. 
&nbsp;

Effect of Different Percentage of Dried Aloe Vera Leaf Powder on Quality of Boar Semen

Background: Moringa leaf extract (MLE) is one of the natural ingredients that can improve the quality of preserved semen by preventing sperm lipid oxidation and increase the sperm storage time. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves extract on boar semen quality during short-term preservation at liquid state. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Four mature healthy Large White Yorkshire boars of about 1.5-2 years age group having good reproductive health was selected for the study. Ten ejaculates were collected from each boar. Each ejaculate was divided into 4 aliquots (equal volume and sperm concentration) and Moringa oleifera leaves extract&nbsp;(MLE) @ 0 &micro;g/ml (control), 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml w/v was mixed in each aliquot after extension of semen samples with beltsville thaw solution (BTS) extender. The semen was evaluated for initial motility, percent live sperm, sperm abnormalities, sperm membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity and level of lipid peroxidation. Ten gilts/sows were artificially inseminated in each group with the liquid preserved semen to record the conception rates and litter size. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The percent sperm motility, live sperm, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa were decreased significantly (P&lt;0.01) while preserving the semen sample by using BTS extenders along with 100 &micro;g/ml,200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract at 18&deg;C for 48 hours. The mean percent of motile sperm, live sperm, intact plasma membrane, intact acrosome among the groups i.e., 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract were increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) as compared to control at 24 and 48 hours of preservation. The mean percentage of sperm abnormalities and lipid peroxidation among the groups i.e., 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract were increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) at 0, 24 and 48 (P&lt;0.01) at hours of preservation as compared to control group. The supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaves extract in BTS extender at concentration of 100 &micro;g/ml, 200 &micro;g/ml and 300 &micro;g/ml significantly improved the Large White Yorkshire boar&rsquo;s semen quality during short term preservation at 18&deg;C as compared to control. The conception rate and average litter size at birth among the groups were increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) as compared to control (C). The significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher conception rate and litter size at birth was recorded in T3 group i.e. 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract supplemented semen. In conclusion, the concentration of 300 &micro;g/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract was found to be better among other concentrations. 
&nbsp;

Effect of different extenders on quality of frozen-thawed boar semen

Effects of negative pressure on boar semen quality during liquid storage at 17°C

First report on in vivo fertility trial of frozen thawed boar semen in India#

The Effect of the Addition of Co-Q10 on the Preservation of Boar Semen at 17°C

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

Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on preseservabilty of boar semen at 15°c

Effects of negative pressure applied before storage (liquid storage, 17°C) on boar semen quality and fertilization ability

Assessment of Libido and Semen Quality of Boar by using Low-cost Portable Wooden Dummy Sow

Effect of Different Percentage of Dried Aloe Vera Leaf Powder on Quality of Boar Semen

Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaves Extract on Quality of Preserved Boar Semen