Objectively measured sperm motility and sperm head morphometry in boars (Sus scrofa): relation to fertility and seminal plasma growth factors

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between results of computer‐assisted semen analysis (spermatozoal motility and sperm head morphometry) and fertility of boars. In addition, concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I and IGF‐II in seminal plasma were determined. The...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of andrology 2001-01, Vol.22 (1), p.104-110
Main Authors: Hirai, M, Boersma, A, Hoeflich, A, Wolf, E, Foll, J, Aumuller, T. R, Braun, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Artificial insemination
Biological and medical sciences
Fertility
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insemination, Artificial
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - analysis
Insulin-Like Growth Factor II - analysis
Male
Mammalian male genital system
Morphology. Physiology
Semen - chemistry
Semen - cytology
semen parameters
Sperm Head
Sperm Motility
Swine
Vertebrates: reproduction
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between results of computer‐assisted semen analysis (spermatozoal motility and sperm head morphometry) and fertility of boars. In addition, concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I and IGF‐II in seminal plasma were determined. The nonreturn rate (NRR) and the number of live‐born piglets were compatible with the requirements of artificial insemination for all boars included in this study. Semen samples of 12 boars (Pietrain; 3 ejaculates each) were evaluated for spermatozoal motility and sperm head dimensions using computer‐assisted methods. Native semen samples were centrifuged, and seminal plasma was frozen at −20°C until assayed for IGF‐I and IGF‐II by specific radioimmunoassays. Spermatozoa of boars with a higher NRR (>86%) had a significantly slower average velocity of motile spermatozoa when compared with that of boars with an NRR below 86%. High‐fertility boars (NRR > 86%) had significantly smaller sperm heads than did boars with an NRR below 86%, and their sperm heads were less elongated. Substantial concentrations of IGF‐I (8.4–22.2 ng/mL) and IGF‐II (12.1–19.8 ng/mL) could be measured in porcine seminal plasma; however, there was no correlation between IGF levels and semen parameters or individual fertility.
ISSN:0196-3635
1939-4640
DOI:10.1002/j.1939-4640.2001.tb02159.x