Effect of dietary selenium and vitamin E on spermatogenic development in boars

An experiment involving a total of 61 crossbred boars evaluated the effects of dietary Se and vitamin E on spermatogenic development at various stages of sexual development and the prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) content in the seminal vesicle and prostate glands at 18 mo of age. The experiment from 5.4 to 9 mo of age was conducted as a 2 x 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design. Dietary Se at 0 or .5 ppm was the first factor and vitamin E at 0 or 220 IU/kg diet was the second. From 9 to 18 mo of age, a group of sexually active and inactive boars was a third factor. Treatment diets were fed from weaning (28 d of age) to the end of the experiment. Three boars per treatment group at 5.4 (105 kg BW), 6.2 (130 kg BW), and 9.0 (150 kg BW) mo of age were killed and the testes collected. From 9 to 18 mo of age, three boars from each dietary treatment group were used for semen collection, and another set of three to four boars from each treatment group remained sexually inactive. At 18 mo, both sets of boars were killed and their testes, prostates, and seminal vesicles were collected. The testis at each age was evaluated for sperm reserve numbers and germ and Sertoli cell populations. At 5.4 or 6.2 mo of age, testicular sperm reserves were not affected by dietary Se (P > .15), at 9.0 mo of age there was a trend for a higher (P < .10) number of sperm reserves, and by 18 mo of age the Se-fed boars had higher (P < .01) numbers of sperm reserves. Vitamin E had no effect (P > .15) on testicular sperm reserves at any age period. Boars fed dietary Se had a greater number of Sertoli cells (P < .01) and round spermatids (P < .01) at 6.2 mo of age, but by 18 mo of age the boars fed Se had more Sertoli cells (P < .05), more secondary spermatocytes (P < .01), and more round spermatids (P < .05). Vitamin E did not affect Sertoli or germ cell populations at the various ages. Boars at 18 mo of age had lower PGF2alpha concentrations in the prostate (P < .05) and seminal vesicles (P < .01) when vitamin E was fed, whereas Se had no effect. Sexually active boars had lower PGF2alpha concentrations in the seminal vesicles (P < .01) than sexually inactive boars, but there was no effect (P > .15) of sexual activity on the number of Sertoli cells, primary or secondary spermatocytes, or round spermatids. Our results indicate that Se has a role in establishing the number of boar spermatozoal reserves and Sertoli cells, whereas supplemental vitamin E did not affect these criteria.     

Semen characteristics and libido in boars treated repeatedly with PGF2alpha

The objective was to determine the effects of repeated injections of PGF2alpha (Lutalyse; Pfizer) on semen and libido characteristics in terminal-line boars. Semen was collected once weekly from wk 0 to 15 and on four consecutive days during wk 16. Boars received an i.m. injection of 10 mg of PGF2alpha (n = 11) or 2 mL of vehicle (n = 11) immediately before entering the collection room. For the weekly collections, semen volume (220.3 +/- 3.2 mL; mean +/- SE), gel weight (38.7 +/- 0.7 g), total sperm cells (65.4 +/- 1.2 billion), motile sperm cells (67.4 +/- 0.6 %), and sperm velocity (125.9 +/- 1.2 microm/s), were affected by time (P < 0.01) but not by treatment (P > 0.10). Sperm concentration (0.31 +/- 0.01 billion/mL) was not affected (P > 0.10) by time or treatment. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm cells, assessed at wk 16, did not differ (P = 0.39) between groups (80.8 +/- 1.0). Libido was evaluated from wk 0 to 16. There were no effects of treatment or time (P > 0.10) on the period from injection to the start of ejaculation (225.6 +/- 9.1 s). Duration of ejaculation was affected by treatment (P < 0.01; 472.0 +/- 43.1 s and 280.4 +/- 43.1 s, for PGF2alpha-treated and control boars, respectively) and time (P < 0.01). During the intensive collection period (wk 16), semen volume (200.1 +/- 7.1 mL), gel weight (39.2 +/- 1.5 g), sperm concentration (0.19 +/- 0.01 billion/ mL), total sperm cells (39.5 +/- 3.6 billion), motile sperm cells (65.6 +/- 2.2%), and sperm velocity (117.8 +/- 3.7 microm/ s) were affected by time (P < 0.10) but not by treatment (P > 0.10). The period from injection to the start of ejaculation tended to decrease (by 44%) during the intensive collection period in PGF2alpha-treated boars, but not in controls (treatment x time, P = 0.07). Regardless, the period from injection to the start of ejaculation did not differ (P = 0.63) between groups on d 4 of the intensive collection period. Duration of ejaculation was affected by treatment (P < 0.01; 459.1 +/- 24.1 s for PGF22alpha-treated boars vs. 303.1 +/- 24.1 s for controls) but not by time (P > 0.10). Overall, there were no exceptional positive or negative effects of long-term treatment with PGF2alpha on semen characteristics and libido in boars.     

牛磺酸对种公猪精液品质、血清激素含量及精浆抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究牛磺酸(Tau)对种公猪性欲、精液品质、血清激素含量及精浆抗氧化能力的影响。选用24头年龄、体重相近的健康成年大约克夏种公猪,随机分为4个组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头猪。各组分别饲喂牛磺酸添加水平为0(对照组)、2、4、6 g/kg的饲粮,试验期90 d,分为1~45 d和46~90 d 2个阶段。结果表明:1)试验46~90 d时,添加6 g/kg牛磺酸显著提高了种公猪的性欲(P0.05)、采精量(P0.01)、精子活力(P0.05),4 g/kg牛磺酸改善了精子密度和精子畸形率(P0.05);2)与对照组相比,6 g/kg牛磺酸水平组极显著提高了种公猪血清促黄体素(LH)含量(P0.01),显著提高了睾酮(T)含量(P0.05);3)试验46~90 d时,6 g/kg牛磺酸显著降低了种公猪精浆丙二醛(M DA)含量(P0.05),显著提高了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力(P0.05),4 g/kg牛磺酸显著提高了谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中长期添加牛磺酸可以调控种公猪血清激素含量,增加精浆抗氧化能力,进而增强种公猪性欲,提高种公猪精液品质,本试验条件下牛磺酸适宜添加水平为6 g/kg。     

Effect of dietary selenium and vitamin E on the ultrastructure and ATP concentration of boar spermatozoa, and the efficacy of added sodium selenite in extended semen on sperm motility

Three experiments evaluated the effects of dietary Se and vitamin E on the ultrastructure of spermatozoa, ATP concentration of spermatozoa, and the effects of adding sodium selenite to semen extenders on subsequent sperm motility. The experiment was a 2 x 2 arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. A total of 10 mature boars were fed from weaning to 18 mo of age diets fortified with two levels of supplemental Se (0 or .5 ppm) or vitamin E (0 or 220 IU/kg diet). The nonfortified diets contained .06 ppm Se and 4.4 IU vitamin E/kg. In Exp. 1, the spermatozoa from all boars were examined by electron microscopy. Vitamin E had no effect on structural abnormalities in the spermatozoa. When the low-Se diet was fed the acrosome or nuclei of the spermatozoa was unaffected, but the mitochondria in the tail midpiece were more oval with wider gaps between organelles. The plasma membrane connection to the tail midpiece was not tightly bound as when boars were fed Se. Immature spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets were more numerous when boars were fed the low-Se diet, but the occurrence of midpiece abnormalities occurred in boars fed diets with or without Se or vitamin E. Our results suggest that Se may enhance spermatozoa maturation in the epididymis and may reduce the number of sperm with cytoplasmic droplets. In Exp. 2, the concentration of ATP in the spermatozoa was evaluated in the semen of all treatment boars. When the low-Se diet was fed, ATP concentration was lower (P < .01), whereas vitamin E had no effect on ATP concentration. Experiment 3 investigated the effect of diluting boar semen with a semen extender with sodium selenite added at 0, .3, .6, or .9 ppm Se. Three ejaculates from each boar were used to evaluate these effects on sperm motility to 48 h after dilution. Sperm motility declined (P < .01) when Se was added to the extender, and this decline was exacerbated as the concentration of added Se increased (P < .01). The added Se was demonstrated to be tightly adhered to the spermatozoa. Overall, these results suggest that low Se-diets fed to boars resulted in abnormal spermatozoal mitochondria, a lower ATP concentration in the spermatozoa, and a loose apposition of the plasma membrane to the helical coil of the tail midpiece, but no effect from inadequate vitamin E was demonstrated. Adding sodium selenite to the semen extender reduced sperm cell motility.     

Effects of herbal preparation on libido and semen quality in boars

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a preparation from herbal extracts (PHE) on libido and semen quality in breeding artificial insemination boars. Ten fertile boars were divided into control and experimental groups according to significant difference of libido. There were no differences in semen quality between groups. Animals were fed a commercial feeding mixture for boars. The feeding mixture for the experimental group was enriched with PHE, which was prepared from Eurycoma longifolia, Tribulus terrestris and Leuzea carthamoides. Duration of the experiment was 10 weeks. Samples of ejaculate were collected weekly. Libido was evaluated according to a scale of 0-5 points. Semen volume, sperm motility, percentage of viable spermatozoa, sperm concentration, morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, daily sperm production and sperm survival were assessed. Amounts of mineral components and free amino acids were analysed in seminal plasma. Significant differences were found in these parameters: libido (4.05 ± 0.22 vs 3.48 ± 0.78; p < 0.001), semen volume (331.75 ± 61.91 vs 263.13 ± 87.17 g; p < 0.001), sperm concentration (386.25 ± 107.95 vs 487.25 ± 165.50 × 10(3) /mm(3); p < 0.01), morphologically abnormal spermatozoa (15.94 ± 11.08 vs 20.88 ± 9.19%; p < 0.001) and Mg concentration (28.36 ± 11.59 vs 20.27 ± 13.93 mm; p < 0.05). The experimental group's libido was increased by 20% in comparison with the beginning of the experiment. Results of this study showed positive effect of PHE on libido and some parameters of boar semen quality.     

长白公猪血清和精浆中元素含量对精液品质的影响

本试验旨在研究不同精液品质特征长白公猪血清和精浆中元素含量的差异,分析血清和精浆中元素含量对精液品质的影响。基于107头长白公猪的1402次精液品质记录,将公猪群按照精液可利用率划分为3组:低利用率组(利用率<60%,n=21)、中等利用率组(60%≤利用率≤80%,n=27)和高利用率组(利用率>80%,n=59)。采集每头长白公猪的血清和精浆样品,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法检测血清和精浆中营养元素和毒性元素含量。结果表明:1)低利用率组长白公猪的有效精子数和精子活力显著低于中等利用率和高利用率组(P<0.01),精子畸形率显著高于中等利用率和高利用率组(P<0.01)。2)不同利用率组间长白公猪的血清和精浆元素含量无显著差异(P>0.05);但在血清和精浆元素含量与精液品质参数相关性分析中发现,精浆铅元素含量与精子活力呈显著负相关(P<0.05),与精子畸形率呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。3)对精浆铅含量分组进一步分析发现,精浆铅含量为0μg/L时长白公猪的精子畸形率显著低于精浆铅含量>10.0μg/L时(P<0.05),精子畸形率降低约6.11%。总的来说,长白公猪精浆中毒性元素铅的存在会通过损害精子活力和形态,影响公猪精液品质。     

Effects of dietary supplementation with an organic source of selenium on characteristics of semen quality and in vitro fertility in boars

Semen characteristics in boars fed organic or inorganic sources of Se were assessed in 3 experiments. Crossbred boars were randomly assigned at weaning to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: I) basal diets with no supplemental Se (control), II) basal diets with 0.3 mg/kg of supplemental Se from an organic source (Sel-Plex, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY), and III) basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of supplemental Se from sodium selenite (Premium Selenium 270, North American Nutrition Co. Inc., Lewisburg, OH). For Exp. 1, semen was collected from boars (n = 10/dietary treatment) on 5 consecutive days at 15 mo of age. Effects of treatment × day were detected for the proportions of progressively motile (P = 0.02) and rapidly moving (P = 0.03) spermatozoa, and measures of sperm velocity, including path velocity of the smoothed cell path (P = 0.05) and average velocity measured in a straight line from the beginning to the end of the track (P = 0.05). Negative effects of day of semen collection on sperm motility were least pronounced in boars fed Sel-Plex. Experiment 2 was conducted when boars were 17 mo of age, and semen was collected (n = 10 boars/dietary treatment), diluted in commercially available extenders, and stored at 18°C for 9 d. Effects of treatment × day were detected for percentages of motile (P = 0.01) and static (P = 0.01) spermatozoa, amplitude of lateral head displacement (P = 0.02), frequency with which the sperm track crossed the sperm path (P = 0.04), straightness (P = 0.01), and average size of all sperm heads (P = 0.03). In general, sperm cells from boars fed Sel-Plex were better able to maintain motility during liquid storage compared with boars fed sodium selenite. For Exp. 3, semen was collected from boars (n = 6/dietary treatment) at 23 mo of age, and spermatozoa were evaluated at d 1 and 8 after semen collection using in vitro fertilization procedures. There was a tendency for an effect (P = 0.11) of dietary treatment on fertilization rate with Sel-Plex-fed boars having the greatest value (70.7%). The results of this study suggest that there are positive effects of dietary supplementation with Sel-Plex on boar semen characteristics and that organic Se supplementation may help ameliorate the negative effects of semen storage on characteristics of sperm motility.     

A comparative study on the chemical composition of plasma from the cauda epididymidis, semen fractions, and whole semen in boars

A comparative study was carried out on the chemical composition of plasma from the cauda epididymidis, semen fractions, and whole semen of boars. A total of 22 boars were used in this study. The boars, which ranged in age from 8 to 14 months, were of Swedish Landrace and Swedish Yorkshire breed. All boars used presented a normal semen picture. A dummy sow and an artificial vagina were employed for semen collection. The semen was collected as whole semen and as semen fractions in 10 nil volumes. The contents of the cauda epididymidis was removed post mortem.The following parameters were investigated: sperm concentration, dry weight of spermatozoa and of seminal plasma, osmotic pressure, sodium, potassium, chloride, inorganic phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, total protein, GOT, GPT, and alkaline phosphatase in seminal plasma. Paper electrophoresis was carried out on seminal plasma. Tlxe results of the analysis are summarized in Tables 1–6.The sperm concentration was approximately 3.2 mill./mm3 in the cauda epididymidis, 1 mill./mm³ in the sperm-richest fraction (II) and 0.25 mill./mm3 in whole semen. The dry weight (expressed in per cent dry matter) of spermatozoa was highest in the cauda epididymidis (25.47 %), showing a tendency to decreasing in semen fractions I—IV and was lowest in whole semen (15.29 %). The per cent dry weight in plasma was higher in the cauda epididymidis (4.56 %) than in semen fraction I (2.20 %). In semen fractions I—IV the per cent dry weight rose from 2.20 (U to 4.51 % and reached the level of approximately 3.80 % in the sperm-free fractions V—VII. The osmotic pressure was significantly higher in the cauda epidi-dymal plasma than in the whole seminal plasma or the seminal plasma fractions. The same phenomenon was observed in a boar where the cauda epididymal content was collected in vivo from a patent established fistula. There appears to be a connection between the per cent dry weight of spermatozoa and the osmotic pressure, which means that the per cent dry weight of the cauda epididymal spermatozoa decreases when mixed with the accessory gland secretions, which have a lower osmotic pressure. The fall in per cent dry weights is thought to be caused by an intake of water.The amount of sodium, chloride and magnesium was higher in ejaculated seminal plasma than in cauda epididymal plasma. The reverse was true for inorganic phosphorus and potassium. Moreover the sperm-free fractions contained more sodium, chlorides and magnesium than the sperm-containing fractions, while the concentration of potassium and inorganic phosphorus was comparatively higher in the sperm-containing fractions. A connection is apparent between sperm concentration and the potassium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium levels. Statistical analysis of the values of chloride and magnesium revealed significant differences between individual boars for most of the semen fractions.The concentration of plasma proteins in the cauda epididymidis was approximately the same as in whole semen and in the semen fractions except for fraction I, which contained a relatively low concentration. As regards total protein there were significant differences between individual boars in most of the semen fractions as well.The paper electrophoretic pattern of epididymal plasma was different from that of semen plasma. Thus there were three or four distinct components in the cauda epididymidis numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4, and three distinct components in whole seminal plasma numbered 3, 4, and 5, while the sperm-richest semen fractions contained four components (2, 3, 4, and 5) and the others three components, namely 3, 4, and 5.The level of GOT was high in the cautlu cpiflidymill contents (99.1 i. u./ml) compared with that for whole seminal plasma (99.1 i.u/ml). In semen fractions there was a clear positive correlation between the level of GOT and the sperm concentration. The GPT concentration wis as a whole low and. in contrast to GOT. somewhat higher in the sperm-free fractions than in the sperm-containing fractions. The concentration of alkaline phosphatase was very high in cauda epididymal plasma (31,463 i. u./ml) as well as in the sperm-rich fractions (e.g. 7,096 i. u./ml in fraction II). Preliminary investigation has moreover revealed a very low alkaline phosphatase concentration in seminal plasma of vasectomized boars, which condition suggests thai the main origin for alkaline phosphatase in boars is the testis and epididymis.     

Effect of vaccination of boars against porcine circovirus type 2 on ejaculate characteristics, serum antibody titers, viremia, and semen virus shedding

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of vaccination against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) on ejaculate characteristics, PCV2-specific antibody titers in serum, viremia, and viral shedding in the semen of PCV2-positive boars. Before vaccination, all boars were confirmed by PCR to be naturally infected with PCV2. The boars were vaccinated with a commercial killed vaccine against PCV2 (n = 5) or served as controls and received 2 mL of 0.9% saline (n = 5). Semen and blood samples were collected before vaccination at wk 0 and at 7-d intervals thereafter until wk 8. Sperm concentration and characteristics of sperm motility were assessed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system, and sperm morphology was evaluated using light microscopy after staining. The PCV2 antibody titers were determined in serum using an ELISA, and the genomic copy numbers of PCV2 DNA in serum and semen were determined by real-time PCR. In general, there were no effects of treatment or treatment × week on semen or sperm characteristics (P > 0.10). An effect of treatment × week was detected for serum antibody titers (P < 0.01). Compared with controls, PCV2 antibody titers in vaccinated boars were less (P < 0.01) at wk 7 (1.01 ± 0.05 titer/mL vs. 1.23 ± 0.05 titer/mL) and tended (P = 0.07) to be less at wk 8 (1.05 ± 0.05 titer/mL vs. 1.17 ± 0.05 titer/mL). There were no effects of treatment or treatment × week for serum and semen genomic copy numbers of PCV2 DNA (P > 0.10). There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for an effect of week on serum viral load. It was evident that during this experiment, boars experienced reoccurring PCV2 infection, and the detection of an increased PCV2 DNA load in serum preceded that in semen; the duration of reoccurring infection appeared to be less in vaccinated boars compared with controls. In summary, vaccination against PCV2 can reduce antibody titers when given postinfection and has no dramatic effect on indicators of semen quality. Vaccination against PCV2 in naturally infected boars can also decrease the length of reoccurring infection and decrease the duration of viral shedding in semen.     

Effect of experimental classical swine fever (CSF) infection on libido and ejaculate parameters in boars

The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of an experimental infection with the classical swine fever (CSF) virus on libido and ejaculate parameters of adult boars. Four boars 10 month old were infected with a CSF field isolate (Visbek/Han95). Semen was collected every second day after infection and daily during the pyrexic phase. The only clinical signs in the boars were an increase in body temperature, but never above 39.9 degrees C and a temporally reduction of food intake. The libido was always good, so semen collection was performed in three boars without difficulty and the semen quality was always in the range of the minimum requirements for sperm that is used for artificial insemination. Although one boar had a good libido only a sperm free ejaculate could be collected on one day. The results show that a CSF virus infection of adult boars hardly causes any clinical symptoms and that sperm can be obtained despite fever. Insemination boars may thus be of special epidemiological relevance for the dissemination of the CSF virus.     

Influence of vitamin E and vitamin E-selenium combination on arginase activity,nitric oxide level and some spermatological properties in ram semen

The effects of vitamin E and vitamin E-selenium combination on seminal plasma arginase activity and nitric oxide level and some spermatological properties in rams were investigated in this study. For control group, animals were injected intramuscularly with physiological saline. For vitamin E group, rams were injected intramuscularly with 300 mg/ram vitamin E. For vitamin E + selenium group, animals were injected intramuscularly with 5 ml/ram vitamin E + selenium. The semen was collected by artificial vagina at 1st, 4th, 24th, 48th and 72nd hr after administration in each group. Significant decreases in seminal plasma arginase activity (at 1st, 24th and 48th hr), nitric oxide level (at 72nd hr) and abnormal sperm rate (at 1st, 24th and 72nd hr), and significant increases in semen volume (at 24th hr), semen mass activity (at 24th and 48th hr), sperm motility (at 24th, 48th and 72nd hr) and concentration (at 1st hr) were observed in vitamin E group compared with control group. Similarly, significant increase in semen volume (at 1st, 24th and 48th hr), mass activity, (at 48th hr), motility (at 48th and 72nd hr) and concentration (at 4th, 24th and 48th hr), and significant decrements in abnormal sperm rate (at 1st, 24th, 48th and 72nd hr), seminal plasma nitric oxide level (at 1st, 4th, 24th and 48th hr) and semen pH (at 24th and 48th hr) were detected in vitamin E + selenium group in comparison to the control group. As a result, it is suggested that vitamin E and/or vitamin E + selenium applications may improve reproductive performance.     

骨桥蛋白在长白公猪生殖细胞中的表达及其与繁殖性能的相关性

本试验旨在研究骨桥蛋白（osteopontin,OPN）在长白公猪生殖细胞中的表达和定位,并探究其与公猪繁殖性能的相关性。试验采集了长白公猪精液和不同阶段（3日龄、3月龄、6月龄和12月龄）的睾丸组织,通过蛋白印迹的方法检测OPN蛋白在精液和不同月龄睾丸中的表达,通过免疫组化的方法对OPN蛋白在公猪睾丸细胞中进行定位;同时,根据配种胎次≥ 20胎,3次配种公猪为同一头的标准,筛选并采集17头长白种公猪精液,统计相对应的1 388头母猪的生产成绩,计算得到公猪繁殖性能指标（包括窝产总仔数、窝产活仔数、分娩率和繁殖力）。低温离心精液分离得到精子和精浆,丙酮法提取精浆蛋白,Lysis buffer方法提取精子蛋白,最后运用BCA和ELISA的方法检测精子和精浆中OPN蛋白的含量,分析OPN蛋白与公猪繁殖性能的相关性。蛋白印迹结果显示,OPN在精子、精浆和各月龄阶段的长白公猪睾丸中均以两种形式表达（67.4和33.7 ku）,且67.4 ku的形式在3月龄公猪睾丸中表达量最高;免疫组化的结果显示,OPN在长白公猪的初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞和精子细胞中表达,在精母细胞、支持细胞和间质细胞中无表达;BCA和ELISA结果显示,精子中的OPN蛋白含量是精浆中的7倍（P<0.05）,精液中的OPN蛋白与公猪窝产活仔数显著正相关（P<0.05）。本试验结果表明,OPN在各阶段的长白公猪睾丸中都有表达,且在精子和精浆中也有表达,这可能与公猪的繁殖性能有关,从而为后期OPN蛋白在公猪受精力的研究奠定基础。     

酵母培养物对公猪生产性能的影响试验研究

旨在评价酵母培养物(YC)对公猪生产性能的影响。将90头体重约为80kg的公猪随机分为3组,即对照组、试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组;对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组基础日粮中分别添加5kg/t和7kg/t的酵母培养物,预试期5d,正试期45d,试验期间,3组饲养管理条件一致;试验结束时,评定各组公猪精液的颜色、气味,测定并比较各组公猪的精液量、精液pH值、精子活力、精子密度、精子畸形率、抗力指数。结果表明,试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组公猪的精液颜色和精液气味与对照组相比没有明显差异;3组公猪的精子抗力指数一致;试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的精液量、精子活力、精子密度均显著大于对照组(P<0.05),精子畸形率均显著小于对照组(P<0.05),但这4项指标在2个试验组之间差异均不显著(P>0.05);3组公猪的精液pH值差异均不显著(P>0.05)。综上提示,基础日粮中添加一定量的酵母培养物能够提高公猪部分生产性能指标。     

Effect of season and social environment on testis size and semen quality of the adult Landrace boar

Eight adult Landrace boars were housed for 12 mo in one of two social environments. Socially nonrestricted boars were penned adjacent to and allowed minimal physical contact with ovariectomized gilts hormonally induced into estrus every 2 wk. Socially restricted boars were penned behind solid walls to eliminate visual and physical contact with other pigs. All animals were subjected to natural changes in daylength. Semen was collected weekly; gel-free volume, gel weight, sperm concentration and number per ejaculate, sperm motility (percent and type) and semen pH were determined. Total protein, citric acid contents and alkaline phosphatase activity were measured in seminal plasma. Testis length and width and various body temperature measurements were recorded monthly. Except for percent motile sperm and alkaline phosphatase activity, all semen characteristics varied (P less than .05) with month. The pattern of seasonal change in semen volume was modified by social environment (group X month, P less than .05). Sperm numbers were highest in winter and lowest in spring and summer. Ejaculate protein and citric acid contents were highest in fall and winter; decreases in spring were associated with moderate ambient temperatures and increases in daylength (r = -.80, P less than .05). Testicular length for socially nonrestricted boars was maximum in November through January and minimum in April through July, and did not vary as extensively for socially restricted boars. Scrotal temperature was elevated during periods of high ambient temperature, but not to values detrimental to spermatogenic function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Vitamin E and organic selenium enhances the antioxidative status and quality of chicken semen under high ambient temperature

1. The effects of supplemental dietary vitamin E and organic selenium (Se), and their combination, on improving semen quality characteristics and antioxidative status were investigated in cockerels exposed to high ambient temperature.

2. A total of 36 Egyptian local cross males, 40 weeks old, were housed individually in cages in an open-sided building (average daily temperature ranged from 33 to 36°C and relative humidity from 60 to 70%). Birds were divided randomly into 4 experimental treatments (n?=?9 each): (1) control (basal diet without any supplementation with vitamin E or Se); (2) vitamin E (basal diet +200?mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg diet); (3) Se (basal diet +0·3?mg organic Se/kg diet); and (4) vitamin E?+?Se (basal diet +200?mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg diet +0·3?mg organic Se/kg diet).

3. Under heat stress conditions, inclusion of vitamin E and/or organic Se in the diets enhanced the semen quality traits, including the spermatozoa count and motility, and reduced the percentage of dead spermatozoa.

4. A combination of 200?mg/kg vitamin E with 0·3?mg/kg organic Se reduced the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentration in seminal plasma samples to about 28% of the controls; and also enhanced the seminal plasma glutathione peroxidase activity by two-fold compared with controls.

5. It was concluded that dietary vitamin E in combination with organic Se has a synergistic effect in minimising lipid peroxidation and improving the antioxidative status in seminal plasma of the domestic fowl, which probably translated into enhanced spermatozoa count, motility and reduced percentage of dead spermatozoa under heat stress conditions.     

Alkaline and Acid Phosphatase Activity, pH and Osmotic Pressure of Boar Semen

Alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded in forty ejaculates of the sperm rich fraction of boar semen as 9,790 ± 5,250 Klein-Babson-Read units per 100 ml. of seminal plasma. Acid phosphatase activity in the same ejaculates was 681 ± 304 Babson-Read units per 100 ml. of seminal plasma. No alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in the seminal plasma of vasectomized boars.

The pH of the sperm rich fractions was 7.69 ± 0.33 and the osmotic pressure was 313.56 ± 7.98 milliosmols.

     

OC4Influence of Seminal Plasma Added to Highly Diluted Semen on Sperm Motility of Young Boar Feed with Selenium and Vitamin E

High dilution rates have been documented as detrimental for boar spermatozoa, shortening their lifespan (Centurion et al. 2003, Biol Reprod 69: 640–646). Addition of seminal plasma (SP) to semen extenders, or selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VE) in diet of boars could increase motility of highly diluted spermatozoa (HDS). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of seminal plasma on sperm motility of HDS from boars feed with Se and VE. Sixteen 12 month-old boars were designed to one of four dietary treatments: (i) control, Se 0 ppm–VE 0 IU/kg; (ii) Se 0–VE 250; (iii) Se 0.5–VE 250 and (iv) Se 0.5–VE 0. Boars were treated for 8 weeks before semen collection. Sperm rich fractions from each boar were diluted to 5 × 10⁶ sperm/ml in PBS medium and incubated at 37°C with or without 10% SP. The measurements were done at 0, 2 or 5 h. Data were analyzed as a mixed model for a factorial design [2 (Se) × 2 (VE) × 2 (SP) × 3 (h)]. Percentage of sperm motility (PSM) increases significantly (p < 0.001) with addition of Se (81.3 ± 1.52), VE (81.0 ± 1.62) and SP (81.5 ± 1.57) vs control (73.4 ± 1.61). There was significant interaction Se × VE (p < 0.001) and Se × VE × SP (p < 0.05) in PSM. However, PSM was affected significantly by time (0 h 83.4 ± 1.92; 2 h 80.7 ± 1.92 and 5 h 67.9 ± 1.92; p < 0.001). There was significant interaction SP × Time (p < 0.05) in PSM. These results indicate that Se, VE and SP improve seminal viability. Addition of 10% of SP maintains PSM at least during 5 hours.     

不同品种、月份、月龄及采精间隔对猪精液品质的影响

为研究不同品种、采精月份、采精月龄和采精间隔等因素对加系公猪精液品质的影响,以及品种、初次采精周龄对精液质量稳定性的影响,本研究以江西某种公猪站79头加系大白猪、长白猪、杜洛克猪种公猪为试验群体,收集2018年12月至2020年12月3 921条精液采集与精液质量数据,通过混合线性模型与方差分析探究各因素对精液量、精液密度、精子活力、总精子数及其稳定性的影响。结果显示,从不同品种对精液质量的影响来看,长白猪精液量和总精子数均高于大白猪、杜洛克猪,但杜洛克猪精液密度高于长白猪、大白猪,杜洛克猪精子活力最低;从不同月份来看,1~3月采精精液密度最高,4~6月采精精子活力最高,10~12月采精精液量和总精子数最高,精液量呈现秋冬多、春夏少的季节变化规律。公猪不同月龄采精,精液质量指标也存在差异,月龄越小精液量越低,但精液密度偏高,精子活力相对较好,在19~24月龄黄金期总精子数最高。不同采精间隔对精液质量有较大影响,采精间隔越长,精液量、精液密度、精子活力和总精子数相对较好,采精间隔为5 d时综合性能最佳,但过长的采精间隔导致精子活力降低。品种影响总精子数稳定性,长白猪、大白猪总精子数稳定性显著优于杜洛克猪（P<0.05）。本研究结果表明,品种、采精月份、采精月龄和采精间隔均会影响公猪精液质量,关注这些因素有助于公猪站制定更完善的生产计划,提高公猪利用率。     

GPx6在大白猪附睾细胞中的表达及其与繁殖性能的相关性

本试验旨在研究谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶6（glutathione peroxidase 6,GPx6）在大白公猪附睾细胞中的表达和定位,并探究其与公猪繁殖性能的相关性。选取15月龄的公猪和母猪各3头,取睾丸、附睾、前列腺、尿道球腺、精囊腺、卵巢和输卵管,提取蛋白,通过蛋白免疫印迹和免疫组化（IHC）检测组织和细胞中GPx6蛋白的表达和定位;根据评定大白公猪受精能力的数学模型,按照公猪配种胎次≥20胎、3次配种公猪为同一头的标准,筛选并采集符合要求的20头公猪精液,同时,统计相对应的1 279头母猪的生产成绩,计算得到公猪繁殖性能指标（包括窝产总仔数、窝产活仔数、分娩率和繁殖力）。提取精子蛋白和精清蛋白,通过BCA和ELISA检测精子和精清中GPx6蛋白的含量。使用SPSS软件的独立样本t检验及单因素方差分析（one-way ANOVA）,进行差异显著性分析,用双变量Pearson进行相关性分析,P<0.05表示差异或相关显著。结果表明,GPx6蛋白在附睾中高表达,IHC结果显示,GPx6蛋白在附睾的顶细胞、基底细胞、晕细胞、主细胞和精子中表达,在肌样细胞中不表达;精清蛋白中GPx6的含量是精子蛋白的7倍,精液中GPx6蛋白的含量与窝产活仔数、窝产总仔数呈负相关关系。结果提示,GPx6在附睾的顶细胞、基底细胞、晕细胞、主细胞和精子中表达,且其在精液中的含量会影响公猪的繁殖性能,这为GPx6对公猪受精能力影响的研究奠定了理论和试验基础。     

Influence of high levels of vitamin E on semen parameters of cocks

This study was an attempt to find whether the reproductive performance of cocks would be influenced by oral administration of different amounts of dietary vitamin E over a long period of time. For that purpose 60 cocks were divided into five dietary groups of 12 animals each, and supplemented with 0 (control group), 100, 1,000, 10,000 or 20,000 IU alpha-tocopherol/kg diet, respectively, over a period of 12 months. The effect on semen parameters and biochemical parameters measured in pooled semen samples and the weight of the testes were determined. The weight of testes decreased with increasing amounts of supplemented vitamin E. Volume, pH, colour, consistency and motility were not influenced by the diets, but density of ejaculate (sperm/microl), total amount of spermatozoa and morphology of sperm were significantly lowered by increasing amounts of supplemented vitamin E. The alpha-tocopherol concentration in ejaculates increased significantly in relation to the diet whereas phospholipid content and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of the semen samples decreased significantly with increasing vitamin E supplementation. The reproductive performance of cocks was negatively influenced by high doses of vitamin E although decreased TBARS indicated rising oxidative defence.