Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase and ubiquitin as potential fertility markers in boars

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This study was performed to determine whether using high power microscopic analysis and two putative biochemical fertility markers, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) and ubiquitin (UBI), could be used to accurately evaluate boar semen quality. In this study, ejaculates (n=116) were collected from 18 Large White boars for eight months (April, August-February). Ejaculates were analyzed and the percentage of proximal CDs (PCD), distal CDs (DCD), distal midpiece reflex CDs (DMR) and other spermatozoa abnormalities (ABN). Further ejaculate analysis was performed by semi-quantitative western blotting with computerized densitometry using antibodies against 15-LOX and UBI. Fertility data including FR and TNB was collected from sows mated to the boars in the study. Correlation coefficient analysis found moderate, negative relationships between FRs and DCDs (-0.39, P<0.01) and DMRs (-0.24, P<0.05), but not PCDs. These data suggest that an accurate boar semen analysis can be achieved by improved microscopy and by the use of biochemical fertility markers.