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. 2021 Jun 17;11(6):1813.
doi: 10.3390/ani11061813.

Effect of Boar Sperm Proteins and Quality Changes on Field Fertility

Ilias Michos  1 , Maria Tsantarliotou  1 , Constantin M Boscos  1 , Georgios Tsousis  1 , Athina Basioura  1 , Eleni D Tzika  1 , Panagiotis D Tassis  1 , Aristotelis G Lymberopoulos  2 , Ioannis A Tsakmakidis  1
Affiliations

Effect of Boar Sperm Proteins and Quality Changes on Field Fertility

Ilias Michos et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate boar sperm characteristics and proteins, in relation to their importance regarding in vivo fertility. Sixty-five ejaculates were used and 468 sows (parity ≥ 2) were inseminated. Sperm CASA kinetics, morphology, viability, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm membrane biochemical activity (HOST) and sperm proteins (Heat Shock Protein 90-HSP90, glutathione peroxidase-5-GPX5, Osteopontin 70-OPN70) were assessed and related to field fertility (number of live-born piglets-NLBP, litter size ≥ 12 piglets-LS, farrowing rate-FR). Statistical analysis was conducted with simple and multiple regression models. Simple regression analysis showed that immotile sperm (IM) significantly affected the NLBP and LS, explaining 6.7% and 6.5% of their variation, respectively. The HOST positive spermatozoa significantly affected the NLBP and LS, explaining 24.5% and 7.8% of their variation, respectively. Similarly, sperm with activated mitochondria significantly affected the NLBP, explaining 13.5% of its variation. Moreover, the OPN70 affected LS and FR, explaining 7.5% and 10.8% of their variation, respectively. Sperm GPX5 protein affected FR, explaining 6.7% of its variation. Multiple regression analysis showed that the combination of IM and/OPN70 explains 13.0% of the variation regarding LS, and the combination of GPX5 and OPN70 explains 13.6% of the variation regarding FR. In conclusion, the estimation of parameters IM, membrane biochemical activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, OPN and GPX5 can provide useful information regarding semen doses for field fertility.

Keywords: artificial insemination; boar; field fertility; proteins; sperm.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Indicative band patterns of spermatozoa HSP90 and GPX5. Actin was used as an internal standard.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Indicative band patterns of seminal plasma OPN. Two reactive areas were located at 70 kDa and 12 kDa.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Nitrocellulose blot stained with Ponceau S. The protein band that was used as OPN standard is highlighted.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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