The use of artificial insemination (AI) in the pig industry is increasing. Although cryopreserved semen is not available, methods for short-term storage (at least 3 days) are acceptable enough to use AI for pig breeding programs. Boars consistently producing high-quality ejaculates are crucial in AI programs, due to the limited number of insemination doses that can be obtained from one ejaculate. Unfortunately, sperm production of boars may fluctuate up as much as 25–30% throughout the year, forcing AI centers to keep additional boars to compensate for these fluctuations (Colenbrander and Kemp, 1990). Therefore, better knowledge of factors influencing both quantity and quality of semen may help to improve the efficiency of AI organizations.
Recently, we have optimized a clinical acrosin assay for boar spermatozoa (Glogowski et al., 1998). This assay was originally developed for human spermatozoa and employed for evaluation of sperm quality (Kennedy et al., 1989). The current study was designed to determine the effects of breed and season on acrosin activity, and semen quality characteristics. Acrosin activity was not affected by breed, but activity exhibited distinct seasonal changes. These changes were especially dramatic from July to November. Semen quality characteristics were affected by both breed and season.
The use of artificial insemination (AI) in the pig industry is increasing. Although cryopreserved semen is not available, methods for short-term storage (at least 3 days) are acceptable enough to use AI for pig breeding programs. Boars consistently producing high-quality ejaculates are crucial in AI programs, due to the limited number of insemination doses that can be obtained from one ejaculate. Unfortunately, sperm production of boars may fluctuate up as much as 25–30% throughout the year, forcing AI centers to keep additional boars to compensate for these fluctuations (Colenbrander and Kemp, 1990). Therefore, better knowledge of factors influencing both quantity and quality of semen may help to improve the efficiency of AI organizations.
Recently, we have optimized a clinical acrosin assay for boar spermatozoa (Glogowski et al., 1998). This assay was originally developed for human spermatozoa and employed for evaluation of sperm quality (Kennedy et al., 1989). The current study was designed to determine the effects of breed and season on acrosin activity, and semen quality characteristics. Acrosin activity was not affected by breed, but activity exhibited distinct seasonal changes. These changes were especially dramatic from July to November. Semen quality characteristics were affected by both breed and season.
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