Yansen Li1, Aihua Wang2, Kazuyoshi Taya3,4, ChunMei Li1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology Nanjing Agricultural University 1 Weigang Road 210095 Nanjing People's Republic of China. 2. Laboratory of Semen Quality Test Rudong Livestock Improvement Station 226000 Nantong People's Republic of China. 3. Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Tokyo Japan. 4. Department of Basic Veterinary Science The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University Gifu Japan.
Abstract
Purpose: There are increasing concerns about infertility of male exposure to high environmental temperatures. Nevertheless, the relationship between heat and accessory sex gland secretion underlying the high ambient temperature-induced poor semen quality has not yet been addressed. Methods: In the present study, five boars were used as an animal model to evaluate semen quality and the secretory function of accessory sex glands. After the boars received 3 days of heat exposure, semen collection was standardized to 18 continual times with a 3-day interval to determine the semen variables of semen volume, semen concentration, abnormal spermatozoa, seminal plasma composition, and testosterone level in the seminal plasma and serum. Results: The total sperm count was lowest by the end of week 2. The higher abnormal spermatozoa percentage were observed by the end of week 2 and persisted until week 6 after heat exposure. Additionally, there was no significant change in semen volume, testosterone level, and concentrations of ions and total protein in the seminal plasma before and after heat exposure. Conclusions: A single 3-day heat exposure caused poor semen quality, but did not disturb accessory sex gland secretion in boars. Declining semen quality might be mainly due to the damaged germ cells, which were sensitive to elevated temperature in hot summer months.
Purpose: There are increasing concerns about infertility of male exposure to high environmental temperatures. Nevertheless, the relationship between heat and accessory sex gland secretion underlying the high ambient temperature-induced poor semen quality has not yet been addressed. Methods: In the present study, five boars were used as an animal model to evaluate semen quality and the secretory function of accessory sex glands. After the boars received 3 days of heat exposure, semen collection was standardized to 18 continual times with a 3-day interval to determine the semen variables of semen volume, semen concentration, abnormal spermatozoa, seminal plasma composition, and testosterone level in the seminal plasma and serum. Results: The total sperm count was lowest by the end of week 2. The higher abnormal spermatozoa percentage were observed by the end of week 2 and persisted until week 6 after heat exposure. Additionally, there was no significant change in semen volume, testosterone level, and concentrations of ions and total protein in the seminal plasma before and after heat exposure. Conclusions: A single 3-day heat exposure caused poor semen quality, but did not disturb accessory sex gland secretion in boars. Declining semen quality might be mainly due to the damaged germ cells, which were sensitive to elevated temperature in hot summer months.
Entities:
Keywords:
Abnormal spermatozoa; Accessory sex gland; Boar; Heat exposure; Testosterone
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