Abstract

GONZALEZ, L.O. et al. Intraindividual analysis of different morphology frequency of sperm nuclei in porcine ejaculates. InVet [online]. 2010, vol.12, n.2, pp.205-211. ISSN 1668-3498.

The nuclear morphology is a very important parameter for semen evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative changes of the nuclear material can generate abnormal nuclear morphologies, some of which are associated with fertility problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the variability of the percentages of morphologically normal sperm nuclei present in different ejaculates of a same animal. Smears of fresh porcine semen were stained with the Feulgen Stain and the nuclear morphology was studied in 23 ejaculates coming from five boars. These animals, which were from a commercial hybrid, healthy, and in reproductive age, were subjected to the same extraction routine, between March and December. The concentration, motility and viability of the samples used in this work were in agreement with the standard patterns of our laboratory. There were observed normal and abnormal nuclear morphologies (round, vacuolated, tapered, large, pyriform, small and with abnormal condensation). The number of normal and abnormal sperm nuclei did not differ significantly between the ejaculates of a same animal. So, the percentage of nuclei with normal morphology determined in each ejaculate was a very stable value in the different animals. In addition, the percentage of morphologically abnormal nuclei was low in the 23 ejaculates tested (<4%).

Keywords : Board; Sperm nuclear morphology; Feulgen; Ejaculates.