Improvements in the viability and fertilizing integrity of boar spermatozoa using the "umqombothi" sorghum bicolour semen extenders

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the viability of semen extended in “Umqombothi” (UMQ) and compare with Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) and unextended semen (UNX). Twelve large white boars and twelve large white sows were used in this experiment. The following sperm characteristics were measured; sperm motility percentage, live sperm, sperm concentration, abnormal sperm percentage and semen pH of (UNX), (UMQ) and (BTS) and compared, fertility parameters namely; non-return rate percentage, farrowing rate, total piglets and live piglets were also measured and compared.

The results from the study showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in sperm motility between (UNX), (UMQ) and (BTS) whereby (UMQ) had the highest percentage of motile sperm which was followed by (BTS) and (UNX) having the lowest percentage of motile sperm, however the results also showed that sperm motility and live sperm percentage of semen stored at 4°C differed significantly (p<0.05) from sperm motility and live sperm percentage of semen stored at 25°C whereby sperm motility and live sperm percentage of semen stored at 25°C were higher than sperm motility and live sperm percentage of semen stored at 4°C. Nevertheless no significant difference in sperm concentration and semen pH was found when semen stored at 4°C and 25°C were compared. However were time of semen collection of 9:00 and 15:00 were compared no significant differences in sperm motility percentage, live sperm percentage, sperm concentration, abnormal sperm percentage and semen pH were observed.

The study also revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) in non-return rate, farrowing rate, total piglets and live piglets between semen stored at 25°C and 4°C of which the results explain that semen stored at 25°C had a higher percentage of non-return rate , farrowing rate, total piglets and live piglets, however, Under (UNX) collected at 9:00 and 15:00 that there was no significant difference in no-return rate percentage, farrowing rate, total piglets and live piglets was observed when two times of semen collections were compared. Under (UMQ) collected at 9:00 and 15:00 there was also no significant difference in non-return rate percentage, farrowing rate, total piglets and live piglets observed when two times of semen collections were compared. Under (BTS) collected at 9:00 and 15:00 there was also no significant difference in non-return rate percentage, farrowing rate, total piglets and live piglets observed when two times of semen collections were compared. Nevertheless were semen extenders were compared (UNX) collected at 9:00 and 15:00 differed significantly (p<0.05) from (UMQ) and (BTS) collected at 9:00 and 15:00 whereby (UNX) had the lowest percentage of non-return rate, farrowing rate, total piglets and live piglets.