Ciência Animal Brasileira (Dec 2012)
AVALIAÇÃO DAS CARACTERISTICAS SEMINAIS DE VARRÕES MANTIDOS EM CENTRAIS DE INSEMINAÇÃO ARTIFICIAL COM AMBIENTE CLIMATIZADO E NÃO CLIMATIZADO DURANTE 12 MESES
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate boars´ ejaculate during 12 months. Five boars were located in each artificial insemination farm with air-conditioned (G1) and non- air-conditioned (G2) environment, and submitted to ejaculate examination every two weeks. Scores for sperm progressive motility, concentration and morphology (MOT, CONC and MORPH, respectively) were established. These scores were summed up to compound the breeding soundness examination index (BSE) for pigs with amplitude ranging from 100 to 1 and four classes (A-E). There were differences in several seminal characteristics during the year within and between the farms in periods of higher temperature and temperature and humidity index. There were differences between the farms for MOT (13.1±4.0 vs. 12.0±3.6), MORPH (35.5±11.4 vs. 27.6±11.6), CONC (21.6±16.8 vs. 13.4±10.6) and BSE (70.2±21.5 vs. 53.0±18.8), and the BSE class frequencies A=17.92% vs. 0.83%, B=13.75% vs. 21.25%, C=16.67% vs. 21.67%, D=1.25% vs. 4.17% and E=0.42% vs. 2.08% for G1 and G2 respectively. Ejaculates presented season variations, with lesser quality during months with higher room temperature and temperature and humidity index. There were differences between and within farms. The air-conditioned farm (G1) presented better seminal characteristics along the year. The BSE means and its class frequencies reflected the seasonal variations of the ejaculates. There were correlations between BSE with the seminal characteristics, and artificial insemination doses showed variation in quality characteristics. There were seasonal deleterious effects on seminal characteristics of boars.
