Semen quality and reproductive performance after artificial insemination with boar sperm stored in a gelatin-supplemented extender

This study tested the effects of inclusion of gelatin in an extender for cooled boar semen on sperm quality during storage and reproductive performance after artificial insemination (AI). In Experiment 1, ejaculates from four boars were stored in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) and BTS including 1.5% and 3.0% gelatin. Sperm motility and morphology were similar among extenders during 72 h of storage (P>0.05). In Experiment 2, ejaculates from four boars were stored in BTS and BTS including 1.5% gelatin. Motility, normal morphology and membrane integrity declined over storage time for both extenders (P<0.05). Decrease on normal sperm morphology over time was less severe in semen stored in gelatin-supplemented BTS (P<0.05). In Experiment 3, AI was conducted in sows from a commercial farm using semen stored in BTS with or without 1.5% gelatin. Farrowing rate and total litter size did not differ (P<0.05), but AI with gelatin-supplemented BTS was shorter and presented less semen backflow (P<0.05). Semen stored in BTS including gelatin presented acceptable quality for longer periods and was efficiently used in AI with no losses in reproductive performance. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.