No abstract

The preservation in liquid form, at 17°C for several days is still the most used method of semen preservation in boar. In these conditions, it would be of great value to know the factors that can predict the capacity of an ejaculate to maintain its biological value over preservation period. This study aimed to identify the correlations between some parameters of raw semen, and those of extended semen, stored in liquid form, for three days at 17°C. Over 1000 ejaculates were collected by means of manual method and artificial vagina over a period of two years from 400 mature boars housed in a specialized unit in Germany. The semen was examined immediately after collection (before dilution) as well as after three days of preservation. All the parameters (except the volume) were determined by means of computerized instruments. The examination of raw semen was performed using SQA-Vp, while the stored semen was analyzed using Spermvision version 3.7. All data were processed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. The Pearson correlation revealed no strong correlation between any of the raw semen parameters when analysed together with stored semen parameters. However, some moderate or weak correlations were found, for example a positive correlation between motility of raw semen and motility of stored semen (p<0.01), a positive correlation between percentage of morphological normal sperm in raw semen and the motility of stored semen (p<0.01), a negative correlation between the concentration of raw semen and the linearity and wobble coefficient in stored semen (p<0.01) as well as a couple other weak correlations. We conclude that, despite the fact that some correlations were revealed, unfortunately the analyzed parameters of raw semen have low predictive value on the parameters of extended semen after preservation at 17°C, and that the parameters of semen will behave differently from one ejaculate to another.

Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) represents the presence of functional ovarian tissue after routine castration of the bitch, caused either by surgeon error or the presence of anomalous ovarian tissue. The piece of ovary that remains after the surgery, may continue to develop and become functional, secreting hormones as estrogen and progesterone which cause signs of pro-estrus or estrus, even pseudocyesis. All those signs cause consternation among owners, who thought that the reproductive activity in their dog will be completely abolished. One mixedbreed, 6 years old bitch, 27.3 kg, spayed 8 months before, was presented with purulent vaginal discharge and mammary lumps, after the animal has been treated by her veterinarian with Proligestone to suppress the persisting estrus signs. Our investigations included vaginal cytology, vaginoscopy, the examination of the mammary chain, ultrasound, radiography, serum chemistry, blood count and histopathological examinations. The ultrasound revealed a filled uterine stump and the presence of a mass caudal the right kidney, which was suspected as an ovarian neoplasm. The examination of the mammary chain revealed masses in right M 3, M4, M5 glands and in the left M2 gland. The bitch underwent surgery, and the results of the histopathological examination were: dysgerminoma, pyometra, and the mammary masses were classified as carcinomas. In this paper we wanted to underline the fact that the Ovarian Remnant Syndrome may imply serious clinical consequences which can even lead to the death of the animal. We recommend as a method of treatment for this condition the surgical removal of the remnant tissue.

Spermatogenesis in boar can be influenced by many factors, which will determine a variation of seminal parameters. A better knowledge of the opportunities to control the variation of semen quantity and quality can increase the efficiency of swine reproduction units. The aim of this study was to examine the seasonal variation of semen, in order to offer a solution against “seasonal infertility” in pigs. The study was conducted on a number of 537 ejaculates, from 31 Pietrain boars housed in standardized conditions in terms of temperature, humidity and light schedule. Semen was collected by manual method, and examined using the beaker, and CASA system (CEROS II). The results, expressed as mean values, were as following: Volume showed higher values in the summer (218.7 ml) and lower in the autumn (155.7 ml); Total number of spermatozoa/ejaculate was higher in the summer (95.9×109) and lower in the winter (74.3×109); Semen concentration was higher in the autumn (571.6×106/ml) and lower in the summer (454.8×106/ml); Total number of motile spermatozoa/ejaculate showed higher values in summer (79.5×109) and lower in winter (65.4×109); % of Total motility was higher in the winter (87.9%) and lower in the summer (82.3%); Total number of progressive spermatozoa/ejaculate was higher in summer (52.7×109) and lower in autumn (44.2×109); % of Progressive motility was higher in winter (61.4%) and lower in autumn (52.3%). The results contradict those of other authors, who studied the semen from boars held in classic conditions. This fact suggests that the standardization of exploitation conditions of boars by maintaining a controlled climate in the farm can reduce the effects of heat stress on spermatogenesis during summer, offering a great opportunity against seasonal infertility and high variations of semen parameters during a year.