Effects of the utilization of homeopathic elements in commercial diluent on swine sperm viability

Abstract

It has been speculated that the homeopathic treatment of sperm cells in order to improve semen quality could be promising. However, few data is available and its use in spermatozoa requires investigation. It is well established that mitochondrial membrane potential is an important viability parameter of spermatozoa and it is intimately related to reproductive efficiency. In this manner, new technologies in order to improve the activity of sperm cells and, finally, the fecundity of swine herds are of extremely importance. Due to the lack of knowledge of homeopathic treatment effect on spermatozoa, the aim of the present study was to verify the effect of three different homeopathic treatments on viability of boar sperm cells. Three homeopathic treatments composed by Pulsatila CH6, Pulsatila and Avena CH6, Avena CH6 and one control treatment (sucrose) were added to diluted boar semen, which were cooled for 24 or 48 h. Interestingly, no positive effect of homeopathic treatments was observed over semen viability. However, it was demonstrated that the 24 h of cooling storage provided more viable sperm cells when compared to the 48-h period. This effect of storage period on sperm viability was assessed by intact plasmatic membrane, intact acrosome and mitochondrial membrane potential evaluation.

Effect of Homeopathic Medicines and a Nosode on Larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

“…13 These effects have already been reported for bacteria, 12,14 protozoa, 15,16 fungi, 17 cell cultures, 18,19 and reproductive cells of mammals. 20 Recently, effects of homeopathic medicines have been demonstrated on the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. 12 The susceptibility of this bacterium to the antibiotic oxacillin was also proven to have increased as a result of exposure of pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus to homeopathic medicines.…”

Homeopathy in parasitic diseases

“…Parallel to such scientific studies, the practical application of homeopathic products to veterinary medicine, especially in cattle farming, has recently consolidated. Currently, homeopathic products are used in animal husbandry worldwide, due to their benefits in the control of diseases, including endo-and ectoparasites, as well as to improve the animals' productivity in an environmentally safe manner [3,4,14,15].…”