Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation does not improve boar semen quality and does not change its fatty acid profile

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to boar diets on semen producion and characteristics, the fatty acid profile of spermatozoa, and on testicle and boar carcass parameters. Ten lean-type terminal-line (Yorkshire x Landrace x Petrain) adult boars were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: (1) a control diet and (2) the same diet with 1% CLA. The research was conducted in Mexico, and the animals were exposed to ambient temperatures betwen 13.5 and 26.3 °C. Boars were ejaculated twice per week a 12-week period to examine semen production and characteristics. The results suggest that supplementation of boar diets with CLA did not affect the spermatozoa fatty acid profile, semen volume, sperm concetration, viability, or motility, nor did it cause abnormal sperm morphology. Compared to controls, boar fed a CLA diet had a higher seminal pH and increased backfat thickness. In summary, this study indicates that CLA addition in boar diet does not change the semen characteristics of fatty acid profile of spermatozoa; however, it increases backfat thickness in sexually mature boars.