Semen samples were diluted in a commercially available extender (Androhep Lite Minitube of America, Inc.) to achieve a ratio of semen to extender of 1:5. ![]() Gel-free semen volume and gel weight were determined gravimetrically using a top-loading balance (Acculab Minitube of America, Inc.). Briefly, semen was filtered (US BAG, Minitube of America, Inc., Verona, WI) during collection to remove gel. Semen was collected using the gloved hand technique and was analyzed for volume, sperm concentration, total sperm cells, and characteristics of sperm motility as previously described (Estienne et al., 2007). Boars continued to receive, at a rate of 2.5 kg/day, a basal diet (n = 10) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenium from either Sel-Plex (n = 10) or sodium selenite (n = 10). At the end of the nursery period, boars were moved to the growing-finishing barn and continued to receive, on an ad libitum basis, either basal diets or the basal diets supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenium from either the organic or sodium selenite sources.įollowing completion of the growing-finishing phase, boars were moved to the Research Boar Stud and were trained to mount an artificial sow and allow semen collection. Boars had ad libitum access to feed and remained in the nursery facility for five weeks. basal diets supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenium from sodium selenite. basal diets supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenium from organic source (Sel-Plex), or III. basal diets that met or exceeded the nutrient recommendations for growing boars (NRC, 1998) with the exception of selenium, II. Yorkshire x Landrace boars were weaned at approximately 28 days of age, placed in nursery pens (three boars/pen) and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: I. The experiment was conducted at the swine research facilities located at the Virginia Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk, VA. The specific objectives of the research reported here were to: 1) evaluate sperm fertilizing capability for boars fed selenium from either organic or inorganic sources and, 2) determine if enhanced motility characteristics and fertility exhibited by spermatozoa collected from Sel-Plex-fed boars are maintained during long-term liquid storage in commercially-available extenders. The working hypothesis in our laboratory is that because of greater “bio-availability”, semen quality and fertility in boars fed diets supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenium from an organic source will be superior to that produced from boars fed an equal amount of inorganic selenium. Nicholasville, KY) is an organic source of selenium that consists primarily of selenomethionine. Mahan and Kim (1996) suggested that selenite may not be as biologically effective as the selenium indigenous in grains, which is incorporated in an organic form (selenomethionine). Because of environmental concerns, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, 1987) allows a maximum of only 0.3 ppm supplemental selenium in swine diets. Improvements in sperm production, sperm morphology, and fertility have been reported for boars fed diets supplemented with inorganic selenium (sodium selenite), generally at levels of 0.5 ppm (Marin-Guzman et al., 1997, 2000a, 2000b). 1981 Marin-Guzman et al., 1997, 2000a, 2000b Jacyno, 2002 Kolodziej and Jacyno, 2005), and there is strong evidence to support the inclusion of this mineral in the daily ration. Several research groups have conducted studies to investigate the effects of supplemental selenium on reproductive characteristics of boars (Segerson et al. To remain efficient, however, swine AI programs will necessitate management and nutritional strategies for enhancing semen production and fertility in boars. swine farms continues to increase and in the future, practically all commercial swine producers will employ this technology. The use of artificial insemination (AI) on U.S. Livestock Update, February 2009 Introduction Speight, Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech To see our latest newsletters and current information, visit our website atĮnhanced Fertility in Boars Fed Diets Supplemented with Sel-Plex® SeleniumĪuthors: Drs. (through April/May 2009), and are provided for historical purposes only.Īs such, they may contain out-of-date references and broken links. ![]() These files cover more than ten years of newsletters posted on our old website You've reached the Virginia Cooperative Extension Newsletter Archive.
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