Influence of Fat-Soluble Vitamin Intramuscular Supplementation on Kinematic and Morphometric Sperm Parameters of Boar Ejaculates

Abstract

Ejaculate quality can be regarded as multifactorial, with nutrition being a factor that could directly influence sperm parameters. The present study aimed to evaluate seminal quality associated with seasonal fat-soluble vitamin supplementation of boars. Seven sexually mature boars were randomly allotted to one of the three groups, and fed one of the three supplementary diets for 32 weeks: (1) control treatment (COD), without supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins, (2) treatment containing 100% fat-soluble vitamin supplementation administered intramuscularly, which was based on fat soluble vitamin supplementation (A, D3, E) (FVD1), and (3) treatment containing 50% of fat-soluble vitamin supplementation (FVD $\frac{1}{2}$ ). Semen was collected at 7-day intervals. Semen samples were analyzed to assess several sperm parameters using the Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) ISAS^®v1 system. Results showed that groups receiving FVD1 and FVD $\frac{1}{2}$ supplementation had an increased semen volume. The percentages of motile and progressively motile sperm were increased by FVD1 treatment. A statistically significant interaction between treatment and season was found in the percentage of motility and progressive motility (p < 0.05). Sperm concentrations showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between treatments. Velocity variables (VSL, VCL, and VAP) were higher (p < 0.05) in boars that received fat-soluble vitamin supplementation in comparison to controls receiving no supplementation. The FVD1 treatment presented spermatozoa with greater head size and more elongated heads (p < 0.05). Overall, the utilization of dietary fat-soluble vitamin supplementation significantly improved the semen quality of boar ejaculates. This highlights the importance of fat-soluble vitamin supplementation in sexually active boars.

Keywords: CASA; fat-soluble vitamin; motility; nutrition; spermatozoa.

Figure 1

Total and progressive motilities of boar semen by season according to dietary fat-soluble vitamin supplementation. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean. COD, control group (n = 11 ejaculates); FVD1, 100% fat-soluble vitamin supplementation group (n = 20 ejaculates); FVD$\frac{1}{2}$, 50% fat-soluble vitamin supplementation group (n = 27 ejaculates). ^a−cLeast square means within each treatment with differing letters differ significantly (P < 0.05).

Figure 2

Semen volume and seminal doses produced of boar ejaculates by season according dietary fat-soluble vitamin supplementation. n = 58 ejaculates. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean. COD, control group (n = 11 ejaculates); FVD1, 100% fat-soluble vitamin supplementation group (n = 20 ejaculates); FVD$\frac{1}{2}$, 50% fat-soluble vitamin supplementation group (n = 27 ejaculates). ^a−cLeast square means within each treatment with differing letters differ significantly (P < 0.05).