Photoinduction of Puberty in Boars during Naturally Occurring Short Day Lengths

Factors influencingsemen quality in pigs

“…The effects of supplementary lighting on endocrine and gametogenic function in the developing and adult boar have been studied. Supplementary lighting may accelerate the onset of mating behaviour and decrease the age at first successful semen collection (Mahone et al, 1979;Berger et al, 1980;Hoagland & Dickman, 1982). However, supplementary lighting did not influence puberty in boars by altering GnRH content in the hypothalamus or pituitary content of gonadotrophic hormones (Lee et al, I987b).…”

Influence of light and photoperiodicity on pig prolificacy

“…However, testicular sperm numbers and testosterone concentrations in blood plasma tended to be higher (not significantly) in the boars exposed to 16 h light (Minton, Fent & Wettemann, 1980). The effects of supplemental light (15 h light/day) have been compared to the natural photoperiod during various seasons of the year (Mahone, Berger, Clegg & Singleton, 1979;Berger, Mahone, Svoboda, Metz & Clegg, 1980;Greenberg & Mahone, 1981;Hoagland & Dickman, 1982). No definite influence on the onset of spermatogenesis (e.g.…”

Use of testicular tone and echogenicity in identifying boars with low sperm quality

“…The significant correlation observed between manual palpation and tonometry (r= 0.62) suggests that tonometry can be explored as a complementary exam in breeding soundness examination. Some authors have already considered the objective evaluation of testicular consistency by tonometry (Esbenshade et al, 1979;Mahone et al, 1979). The high correlation (r= 0.89 -0.99) found among different examiners (Hahn et al, 1969) has demonstrated the objectivity of testicular tone evaluation in bulls.…”