Effect of zinc on boar sperm liquid storage.

Storage and transport of liquid boar sperm for artificial insemination (AI) requires the addition of solutions called extenders, which increase the volume of the ejaculate and help preserve its functional characteristics. Yet, the quality of sperm decreases over time primarily due to the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage the plasma membrane. Many commercial extenders are supplemented with additives that mitigate this effect.

Heparin binding analysis of boar sperm and its relation with farrowing capacity.

New methods for the evaluation of semen quality according to in vivo reproductive data are useful tools for identifying boars of lower fertility among individuals with standard semen parameters. In this study, indirect fluorescence microscopy was used to evaluate the heparin binding site distribution upon capacitation of sperm from eight boars arbitrarily distributed into Groups I and II according to differential farrowing rates (Group I: ≥ 70%, Group II: < 70%). Additionally, the ability of sperm to bind to solubilised zona pellucida (ZP) was assayed in the presence or absence of heparin.