Effect of season influencing semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration in Duroc boars

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of season influencing semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration in Duroc boars. There were no significant differences in the semen volume and sperm concentration of Duroc boars among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, the pH of sperm-rich and sperm-poor fractions in autumn and winter season was higher than in spring and summer season in Duroc boars. Sperm motility and normal acrosome of raw semen in Duroc boars did not differ significantly among spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, motility and normal acrosome of frozen-thawed sperm were higher in spring season than in summer, autumn and winter. Serum testosterone concentrations in Duroc were higher in spring than summer, autumn and winter. In conclusion, when serum testosterone concentrations were higher in seasons, frozen-thawed sperm viability in Duroc boars were higher.