OC5Filtration Thought Sephadex Columns Does not Alter the Subpopulation Characteristics in Fresh Boar Semen

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of filtration through Sephadex on the subpopulation characteristics of the boar semen. For this purpose 3 ml of 16 commercial doses of fresh diluted boar semen were filtered through a Sephadex G‐15/Polypropylene column. Motility parameters were analysed by a CASA system and statistical study was performed by SAS package using the VARCLUS and the FASTLUST procedures. Statistical study revealed four subpopulations in fresh boar semen, as previously had described (Theriogenology 61: 673–690).Total motility was higher in control than in filtered semen, but there were not statistical differences (65.63 ± 9.65 vs 41.40 ± 9.02). Moreover, the analysis did not show many changes neither in the characteristics nor in the distribution of the four subpopulations. As example although ALHmed of filtered samples were slightly higher, there were only significant differences (p < 0.001) in two subpopulations (subpopulation 2 : 2.2 ± 0.05 in control vs 2.7 ± 0.08 in filtered. Subpopulation 3 : 4.5 ± 0.11 in control vs 5.8 ± 0.23 in filtered semen). HME was also statistically different (p < 0.005) in one subpopulation, showing great values in filtered semen (1.7 ± 0.15 vs 3.0 ± 0.30). In conclusion, the filtration by Sephadex/Polypropylene column does not cause strong changes in subpopulation sperm distribution.