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Title: Influence of pre-cryopreservation pH and temperature on boar semen quality

Author
item THARP, NICHOLAS - PURDUE UNIVERSITY
item Purdy, Phil
item Blackburn, Harvey
item Spiller, Scott
item STEWART, TERRY - PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/16/2009
Publication Date: 3/16/2009
Citation: Tharp, N.E., Purdy, P.H., Blackburn, H.D., Spiller, S.F., Stewart, T. 2009. Influence of pre-cryopreservation pH and temperature on boar semen quality. Midwest Section American Society of Animal Science, Des Moines, IA, March 16-18, 2008.

Interpretive Summary: The influence of shipping temperature and pH on semen quality parameters could determine the effectiveness of current National Animal Germplasm Program protocols. The purpose of this project is to determine associations between pH, shipping temperature, and boar semen quality: cell size, cell intensity, motility, progressive motility, elongation, head size, and beat cross frequency. Semen samples were shipped to the Fort Collins lab for freezing and analysis from four different boar stud facilities. The mean temperature of all incoming samples was 17.2 degrees Celsius with a range of 12.8 ºC to 21.7 ºC. The pH ranged from 5.91 to 7.14 with a mean of 6.74. Differences in temperature, pH, and sperm motility were observed by stud. The pH/temperature interaction had an effect on membrane quality and viability. Shipping temperature had a significant effect on semen quality with the optimal temperature for maximum quality near 17 ºC. The identification of an optimal shipping temperature for boar semen has important ramifications for boar stud management. Our results suggest that by maintaining a constant shipping temperature of 17ºC will increase the quality and functionality of shipped semen.

Technical Abstract: The influence of shipping temperature and pH on semen quality parameters could determine the effectiveness of current National Animal Germplasm Program protocols. The purpose of this project is to determine associations between pH, shipping temperature, and boar semen quality: cell size, cell intensity, motility, progressive motility, elongation, head size, and beat cross frequency. Semen samples (n=199) were shipped to the Fort Collins lab for freezing and analysis from four different boar stud facilities. The mean temperature of all incoming samples was 17.2 degrees Celsius with a range of 12.8 degrees Celsius to 21.7 degrees Celsius. The pH ranged from 5.91 to 7.14 with a mean of 6.74. The temperature from Stud 3 was significantly (P < 0.0001) the highest, followed by Stud 2, Stud 1, and Stud 4 was the lowest. The pH was significantly (P < 0.0001) highest in value from Stud 1, with Stud 4 being different but lower, and Stud 2 and Stud 3 being lowest and similar to each other. Motility percentage was significantly (P < 0.0001) highest from Stud 2 and Stud 4, lowest from Stud 3, with Stud 1 being similar to all other studs. The progressive motility percentage was significantly (P < 0.0001) highest from Stud 2, followed by Stud 4, lowest from Stud 3, with Stud 1 being similar to both Stud 4 and Stud 3. The pH/temperature interaction had an effect on membrane quality and viability. Shipping temperature had a significant quadratic effect on semen quality with the optimal temperature for maximum quality near 17 degrees Celsius. The identification of an optimal shipping temperature for boar semen has important ramifications for boar stud management. Our results would suggest that by maintaining a constant shipping temperature of 17ºC will increase the quality and functionality of shipped semen.