Gut Microbiological Disorders Reduce Semen Utilization Rate in Duroc Boars

Abstract

Although rising evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is closely related to host health, the effects of gut microbiota on male fertility are still rarely explored. This study was to investigate the gut microbiota composition and function, fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), intestinal permeability, and systemic inflammatory status of Duroc boar with high (H group, 100%) and low (L group, <80%) semen utilization rate. Fecal samples, analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, displayed taxonomic and functional changes between boars with high and low semen utilization rates. For the gut microbiota composition of the boars, four genera were different between the two groups. The [ Ruminococcus ] and Sphingobium were enriched in L group boars, then negatively correlated with the semen utilization rate. While RFN20 and Paludibacter were enhanced in the H group, only RFN20 showed a significantly positive correlation with the semen utilization rate of boars. In addition, changes in the metabolic function of the gut microbiota of the two groups were found, including altered branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) production. Significant increases in plasma endotoxin, zonulin, diamine oxidase, and lipocalin-2 levels were observed in boars with low semen utilization, and also, a similar trend in IL-6 and TNF-α was found. However, the concentration of IL-10 in plasma of boars with high semen utilization rate showed an increasing tendency. These results indicated increased intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation in boars with low semen utilization. Data showed that the composition and functions of gut microbiota varied between boars with high or low semen utilization rates, while the semen utilization rate is notably correlated with the gut microbiota composition, intestinal permeability, and inflammatory status of the boar.

Hydroxytyrosol Benefits Boar Semen Quality via Improving Gut Microbiota and Blood Metabolome

“…All animal procedures were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Institute of Animal Sciences of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IAS2021-67). A total of 20 healthy boars (Duroc) aged from 31 to 33 months were selected in this study at the artificial insemination center of Yangxiang Joint Stock Company (Guangxi, China) ( 1 ). Boar feeding conditions have been previously reported ( 2 ).…”

“…Semen samples were collected by gloved-hand techniques. After collection, four semen parameters were assessed: semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and abnormal sperm rate, according to the reported methods ( 1 , 14 ). Blood samples were collected into ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma tubes by venipuncture from the hindlimb vein of boars during ejaculations.…”

“…Artificial insemination (AI) has been extensively used in swine industry in order to take the advantages of the superior genetic background and higher fertility capability of boars and sows ( 1 – 4 ). The application of AI is restricted to the semen quality, which can be influenced by multiple factors including the boar itself (e.g., age) and the environment factors (e.g., temperature and light) ( 1 – 4 ). Sperm plasma membrane contains a large proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which is easily impaired by oxidative stress and thus to diminish semen quality ( 1 , 2 ).…”

“…Artificial insemination (AI) has been extensively used in swine industry in order to take the advantages of the superior genetic background and higher fertility capability of boars and sows (1)(2)(3)(4). The application of AI is restricted to the semen quality, which can be influenced by multiple factors including the boar itself (e.g., age) and the environment factors (e.g., temperature and light) (1)(2)(3)(4). Sperm plasma membrane contains a large proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which is easily impaired by oxidative stress and thus to diminish semen quality (1,2).…”

Selenium Supplementation Influences Mice Testicular Selenoproteins Driven By Gut Microbiota

“…Several authors pointed out that high-fat diet induced gut dysbiosis can affect the systems health even causing neurological disorders 17,18 and spermatogenesis impairments 19 . Recent studies suggest the impact of gut microbiota on fertility and reproductive health in both, males and females [20][21][22] . However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the shifts in the gut microbiota across reproductive state.…”