Boar seminal plasma components and their relation with semen quality

Select boar seminal plasma (SP) components and their relation to semen quality were investigated. Thirty nine boars from three artificial insemination (AI) centers were divided into group A (GA: > 80% normal sperm and > 70% motility) and group B (GB: < 80% normal sperm and < 70% motility). Each ejaculate was collected and semen volume, concentration, sperm motility (computer aided semen analysis; CASA), morphology, and vitality (both eosin nigrosin staining) were investigated. The SP was separated and analyzed for aspartate-amino-transferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), phosphate (PO43-), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were assessed. Repeated measures (2 months interval) were conducted in eight boars of GA from one AI center. The activity of GGT (r = -0.482) and ALP (r = -0.459) was moderately associated (p < 0.05) with ejaculate volume and strongly associated with concentration (r = 0.580 and r = 0.618, respectively; p = 0.000). Moderate associations (p < 0.05) were found between ALP (r = 0.439), GGT (r = 0.387), Na (r = -0.428), K (r = 0.354), and Se (r = 0.354) with progressive motility. The SP concentration of Na (r = -0.401), Cl (r = -0.521), and K (r = 0.350) was associated (p < 0.05) with normal morphology. Only Mg was associated (p < 0.05) with membrane damage (r = -0.335). The concentration of Na, Cl, and Zn (1681.0 vs. 1701.0 mu g/dL) was different between groups (p < 0.05). Repeated measures showed significant differences in time but only for Na, Mg, and Zn (p < 0.05). In conclusion, several biochemical components of SP were related to semen quality. The analysis of biochemical parameters could provide extra information about reproductive health of AI boars.