Concentration of biogenic and risk elements in wild boar testes and their interactions with sperm quality

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to monitor concentration of selected biological and risk elements in testes and later epididymal spermatozoa motility of wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa) as well as their association. Wild boars were hunted in region Žuhračka - Levice branch plant, Slovak Republic. Testes were surgically removed post-mortem and were transported to the laboratory. Spermatozoa were obtained by dissecting the distal portion of the cauda epididymis and were analysed by Computer assisted semen analyzer (CASA) system. Concentration of elements were measured by inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and by cold vapor absorption spectrometer (MA-3 Solo Mercury Analyzer). Total spermatozoa motility was at the level of 44.29% and progressive motility was 18.47%. Concentration of elements in testes was in following order: K > Na > Mg > Ca > Fe > Zn > Al > Cu > Se > Mn > As > Cr > Pb > Mo > Sr > Ni > Ba > Cd > Li > Hg. Negative association was observed between Se and motility, progressive motility, further between As and velocity curved line and beat cross frequency. Mercury showed positive correlation with beat cross frequency. Our results suggest that some chemical elements accumulated from polluted environment can affect reproduction of wild animals.