Abstract

ZAMORA-ZAMORA, Vicente et al. Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation does not improve boar semen quality and does not change its fatty acid profile. Veterinaria México OA [online]. 2017, vol.4, n.3, pp.26-40. ISSN 2448-6760.  https://doi.org/10.21753/vmoa.4.3.387.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to boar diets on semen production and characteristics, the fatty acid profile of spermatozoa, and on testicle and boar carcass parameters. Ten lean-type terminal-line (Yorkshire × Landrace × Pietrain) adult boars were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: (1) a control diet and (2) the same diet with 1 % CLA. The research was conducted in Mexico, and animals were exposed to ambient temperatures between 13.5 and 26.3 °C. Boars were ejaculated twice per week during a 12-week period to examine semen production and characteristics. The results suggest that supplementation of boar diets with CLA did not affect the spermatozoa fatty acid profile, semen volume, sperm concentration, viability, or motility, nor did it cause abnormal sperm morphology. Compared to controls, boars fed a CLA diet had a higher seminal pH and increased backfat thickness. In summary, this study indicates that CLA addition in boar diet does not change the semen characteristics or fatty acid profile of spermatozoa; however, it increases backfat thickness in sexually mature boars.

Keywords : Semen quality; Backfat thickness; Testicular characteristics.