Effect of the addition of IGF-I and vitamin E to stored boar semen

Animal. 2013 May;7(5):793-8. doi: 10.1017/S1751731112002285. Epub 2012 Dec 5.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of IGF-I to pig insemination doses stored at 15°C, in conjunction with the addition of different amounts of vitamin E (α-tocopherol). Semen samples (n = 12) from four boars were treated by the addition of different concentrations of vitamin E, ranging up to 400 μg/ml. Immediately after processing and after the doses had been stored at 15°C for 24 or 72 h, samples were warmed at 37°C and 30 ng/ml of IGF-I was added. The assessments were made after 10 and 120 min of IGF-I addition. There was a minor effect of the vitamin E added before cooling and IGF-I added after storage on sperm quality. The addition of 400 μg/ml of vitamin E to diluted semen reduced (P < 0.01) the malondialdehyde (MDA) production in boar semen stored at 15°C for 72 h, regardless of the addition of IGF-I as additive during a 120 min incubation period at 37°C. In these conditions, IGF-I also reduced (P < 0.05) the MDA production in semen samples without addition of vitamin E. IGF-I in the presence of vitamin E reduced (P = 0.03) the glucose intake in freshly diluted boar semen samples before cooling. It was concluded that the addition of 400 μg/ml of vitamin E reduces the MDA production in boar semen stored at 15°C for 72 h, regardless of the presence of IGF-I additive. The addition of IGF-I in doses stored for 72 h with vitamin E ensures higher sperm motility after 120 min of incubation at 37°C.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Semen / drug effects*
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary*
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Swine / physiology*
  • alpha-Tocopherol / administration & dosage
  • alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • alpha-Tocopherol