Age-related changes and seasonal variations in boar sperm metabolism during liquid storage at 5° and 16°C

Abstract

In the present study the effect of boar age and seasonal changes on oxygen uptake (ZO2) and ATP content in spermatozoa during storage at 5° and 16°C were analysed. Semen was collected from 3 Polish Landrace boars for a 3-year period. The semen was extended in a standard semen extender, Kortowo 3 (K3), which was supplemented with lipoprotein fractions extracted from hen (K3-LPFh) or ostrich egg yolk (K3-LPFo). Irrespective of the storage temperatures, lower metabolic activity was manifested in reduced ZO2 values and ATP content in spermatozoa stored in K3 extender. The metabolic performance of spermatozoa from boars aged 25-36 months was higher, particularly during the autumn-winter period. The addition of lipoprotein fractions to the semen extender had a beneficial effect on the analysed biochemical parameters of the metabolic activity of spermatozoa preserved at 5°C. This seems to indicate that boar age and the season may be important factors that can influence the use of semen for liquid preservation.