The boar ejaculate: Sperm function and seminal plasma analyses

Abstract

A complete study of the boar ejaculate includes both routine sperm quality analysis and complementary tests of sperm function. Rigorous monitoring of both steps permits the fertilising ability of a given ejaculate to be predicted as accurately as possible. With regard to quality analysis and after successfully carrying out a macroscopic inspection of semen (volume, temperature, pH and osmolality), the technician proceeds with a microscope analysis that includes the study of the following relevant semen parameters: concentration, motility, morphology, plasma membrane integrity and osmotic resistance of spermatozoa. This chapter also reviews those tests that assess additional features of the sperm cell, such as its capacitation status, its nuclear integrity and that of its membranes, and also provides information on in vitro fertility assays as estimators of in vivo sperm fertility. Finally, the chapter outlines the main components of seminal plasma and the most important methods in their study.