Available microscopic and biochemical tests for semen quality are primarily indicators of sperm viability and poor estimates of fertilizational competence. Second, there is significant variation in fertility among boars that appear to have a normal complement of spermatozoa. In other species, protein markers are present in seminal plasma that exhibit either a strong positive or negative relationship with male fertility. The relationship between these proteins and fertility has been examined most extensively in dairy bulls. In dairy bulls, there are proteins that are prevalent in semen from bulls of above average fertility and different proteins that are abundant in seminal fluids from bulls of below average fertility.
Boars also exhibit unique, individual differences in the profile of their seminal plasma proteins.
Whether or not these proteins can be used as an estimate of the fertility of boar semen is not known and the rationale for pursuing the present study. Objective To determine the relationship between seminal plasma protein profiles and semen fertility in boars under controlled experimental conditions. Materials and Methods Ten mature boars were collected once per week for 26 weeks. Collections began in the middle of August and were completed by the end of January. Seminal plasma protein profiles of each ejaculate were determined using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with isoelectrical focusing and densotometry.