Compensability of an enhanced incidence of spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets in boar semen for use in artificial insemination: a single cell approach

Abstract

Abstract This single cell study aimed to clarify whether an elevated incidence of sperm with a retained cytoplasmic droplet (CD) can be compensated by a higher sperm number in boar semen doses to maintain fertility. Cluster analysis of motile spermatozoa (ten boars) revealed that spermatozoa with a CD are underrepresented in the fast, linearly moving sperm cohort compared to morphologically normal sperm. Nonetheless, the response to the motility stimulator procaine was barely affected in spermatozoa with distal CD (Cramer’s V = 0.14), but moderately affected in sperm with proximal CD (V = 0.28). Viability was lower in sperm with distal CD (p 0.05; n = 26). In conclusion, a moderately enhanced prevalence of sperm with CD seems to be compensable by an increase in sperm numbers in boar semen doses.