Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Original article
Austral J. Vet. Sci.
Vol 58, e580102 (2026)
DOI: 10.4206/ajvs.58.2

Influence of age, breed lines and season on boar sperm motility and morphology under tropical conditions

1 Doctorado en Ciencias Naturales para el Desarrollo (DOCINADE), Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, Costa Rica.
2 Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, School of Agronomy, Costa Rica Institute of Technology, San Carlos Campus, Costa Rica.
3 Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Campus Burjassot, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain.
4 Masters in Animal Science Reproduction Biology, Biotechnology for Animal Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Veracruz University, Veracruz, México.
5 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Cooperative University of Colombia, Villavicencio, Colombia.
Keywords: animal reproduction semen quality reproductive biology pigs swine

Submitted: 2025-08-18

Accepted: 2025-12-01

Published: 2026-02-27

*Corresponding author:
anvalverde@tec.ac.cr

How to Cite

Sevilla, F., Araya-Zúñiga, I., Silvestre, M. Ángel, Cervantes-Acosta, P., Hernández-Beltrán, A., Salamanca-Carreño, A., & Valverde, A. (2026). Influence of age, breed lines and season on boar sperm motility and morphology under tropical conditions. Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 58(1), e580102. https://doi.org/10.4206/ajvs.58.2

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Francisco Sevilla, Ignacio Araya-Zúñiga, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Patricia Cervantes-Acosta, Antonio Hernández-Beltrán, Arcesio Salamanca-Carreño, Anthony Valverde

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Sperm morphology assessment is essential for maintaining reproductive efficiency and profitability on farms. In tropical countries and smaller-scale farms, the assessment of sperm morphology of the doses used in artificial insemination is not routinely carried out; therefore, its analysis and standardization are necessary. This study evaluated the influence of age, season, and genetic line on sperm morphology in breeding boars under tropical conditions. The study was conducted on commercial farms in the northern region of Costa Rica from 2019 to 2023, with sampling during both the dry and rainy seasons. Sixty-five boars and 312 ejaculates representing Duroc, Landrace, Pietrain, and Pietrain × Duroc genetic lines were analyzed. Animals were classified by age at collection into three groups according to age at the time of collection: < 24 months (G1, n = 19), 24–48 months (G2, n = 26), and > 48 months (G3, n = 33); some animals were analyzed and classified into different groups. Morphology was assessed by Trumorph® fixation and visual examination using a light microscope at 400× magnification. The percentage of sperm morphological abnormalities varied significantly by year, season, and genetic line (P < 0.05). The Pietrain line showed the highest average abnormality frequency, whereas the rainy season exhibited the greatest proportion of abnormal sperm (P < 0.05). In conclusion, season and genetic line significantly influenced sperm morphology in breeding boars. Standardization and validation of morphological assessment are necessary in semen production centers and commercial pig farms.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

  1. Banaszewska, D., & Andraszek, K. (2021). Assessment of the morphome¬try of heads of normal sperm and sperm with the Dag defect in the semen of Duroc boars. Journal of Veterinary Research, 65(2), 239–244. https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2021-0019
  2. Banaszewska, D., & Kondracki, S. (2012). An Assessment of the Breeding Maturity of Insemination Boars Based on Ejaculate Quality Changes. Folia Biologica, 60(3), 151–162. https://doi.org/10.3409/fb60_34.151162
  3. Barquero, V., Soler, C., Sevilla, F., Calderón-Calderón, J., & Valverde, A. (2021). A Bayesian analysis of boar spermatozoa kinematics and head morphometrics and their relationship with litter size fertility vari¬ables. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 56(7), 1024–1033. https://doi. org/10.1111/rda.13946
  4. Brito, L. F. C., da Silva, M. C., & Kolster, K. A. (2025). Standardization of Dog Sperm Morphology Classification. Reproduction in Domestic Ani¬mals, 60(2), e70024. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70024
  5. Broekhuijse, M. L. W. J., Gaustad, A. H., Bolarin Guillén, A., & Knol, E. F. (2015). Efficient Boar Semen Production and Genetic Contribution: The Impact of Low-Dose Artificial Insemination on Fertility. Reproduc¬tion in Domestic Animals, 50(52), 103–109. http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/ rda.12558
  6. Calderón-Calderón, J., Sevilla, F., Roldan, E. R. S., Barquero, V., & Valverde, A. (2022). Influence of fat-soluble vitamin intramuscular supplementation on kinematic and morphometric sperm parameters of boar ejaculates. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 908763. https:// doi.org/10.3389/FVETS.2022.908763
  7. Czubaszek, M., Andraszek, K., & Banaszewska, D. (2020). Influence of the age of the individual on the stability of boar sperm genetic material. Theriogenology, 147, 176–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenolo¬gy.2019.11.018
  8. Fitzpatrick, J. L., & Lüpold, S. (2014). Sexual selection and the evolution of sperm quality. MHR: Basic Science of Reproductive Medicine, 20(12), 1180–1189. https://doi.org/10.1093/molehr/gau067
  9. Flowers, W. (2015). Factors Affecting the Efficient Production of Boar Sperm. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 50(Suppl 2), 25–30. https:// doi.org/10.1111/rda.12529
  10. Fraser, L., Strzeżek, J., Filipowicz, K., Mogielnicka-Brzozowska, M., & Zasi¬adczyk, L. (2016). Age and seasonal-dependent variations in the bio¬chemical composition of boar semen. Theriogenology, 86(3), 806–816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.02.035
  11. Gatimel, N., Moreau, J., Parinaud, J., & Léandri, R. D. (2017). Sperm mor¬phology: assessment, pathophysiology, clinical relevance, and state of the art in 2017. Andrology, 5(5), 845–862. https://doi.org/10.1111/ andr.12389
  12. Gonzalez-Castro, R., Porflidt, C., Patton, T., Goins, D., & Herickhoff, L. (2022). Effect of season, genetic line and temperature during trans¬port on sperm motility of commercial insemination doses of pooled boar semen: A retrospective study. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 57(11), 1363–1374. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14214
  13. Górski, K., Kondracki, S., & Wysokińska, A. (2017). Ejaculate traits and sperm morphology depending on ejaculate volume in Duroc boars. Journal of Veterinary Research (Poland), 61(1), 121–125. https://doi. org/10.1515/jvetres-2017-0015
  14. Górski, K., Kondracki, S., Wysokińska, A., & Iwanina, M. (2018). Depen¬dence of sperm morphology and ejaculate characteristics on sperm concentration in the ejaculates of Hypor boars. Journal of Veterinary Research, 62(3), 353–357. https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2018-0050
  15. Hackerova, L., Pilsova, A., Pilsova, Z., Zelenkova, N., Tymich Hegrova, P., Klusackova, B., Chmelikova, E., Sedmikova, M., Simonik, O., & Postlero¬va, P. (2025). Boar Sperm Motility Assessment Using Computer-Assist¬ed Sperm Analysis: Current Practices, Limitations, and Methodological Challenges. Animals, 15(3), 305. https://doi.org/10.3390/ANI15030305
  16. Hao, M., Zhai, R., Wang, Y., Ru, C., & Yang, B. (2025). A Stained-Free Sperm Morphology Measurement Method Based on Multi-Target In¬stance Parsing and Measurement Accuracy Enhancement. Sensors, 25(3), 592. https://doi.org/10.3390/S25030592
  17. Hook, K. A., & Fisher, H. S. (2020). Methodological considerations for examining the relationship between sperm morphology and motility. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 87(6), 633–649. https://doi. org/10.1002/mrd.23346
  18. Kamanova, V., Nevrkla, P., Hadas, Z., Lujka, J., & Filipcik, R. (2021). Chang¬es of sperm morphology in Duroc, Landrace and Large White boars depending on the ambient temperature during the year. Veterinární Medicína, 66(5), 189–196. https://doi.org/10.17221/203/2020-VETMED
  19. Keller, A., Maus, M., Keller, E., & Kerns, K. (2024). Deep learning classifi¬cation method for boar sperm morphology analysis. Andrology 2024, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13758
  20. Kemoi, V. C., Kashoma, I. P., & Kichuki, M. (2025). Evaluation of The Ef¬ficacy of Three Extenders on Boar Semen Quality after Liquid Stor¬age. Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences, 10(1), 64–73. https://doi. org/10.21608/JAVS.2024.331894.1459
  21. Knecht, D., Jankowska-Mąkosa, A., & Duziński, K. (2017). The effect of age, interval collection and season on selected semen parameters and prediction of AI boars productivity. Livestock Science, 201, 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2017.04.013
  22. Knox, R. V. (2024). Swine fertility in a changing climate. Animal Repro¬duction Science, 269, 107537. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ANIREPROS¬CI.2024.107537
  23. Kondracki, S., Górski, K., & Iwanina, M. (2020). Impact of sperm concen¬tration on sperm morphology of large white and landrace boars. Live¬stock Science, 241, 104214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104214
  24. Kondracki, S., Iwanina, M., Wysokińska, A., & Huszno, M. (2012). Compar¬ative analysis of Duroc and Pietrain boar sperm morphology. Acta Vet¬erinaria Brno, 81(2), 195–199. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb201281020195
  25. Li, J., Zhao, W., Zhu, J., Wang, S., Ju, H., Chen, S., Basioura, A., Ferrei¬ra-Dias, G., & Liu, Z. (2023). Temperature Elevation during Semen Delivery Deteriorates Boar Sperm Quality by Promoting Apoptosis. Animals, 13(20), 3203. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13203203
  26. Lopez-Rodriguez, A., Soom, A. Van, Arsenakis, I., & Maes, D. (2017). Boar management and semen handling factors affect the quality of boar extended semen. Porcine Health Management, 3, 15. https://doi. org/10.1186/s40813-017-0062-5
  27. Rocha, V. P., Santos Araújo, L. R., Antônio, L., Miranda, M., Mano E Silva, B., Campos Da Silva, Ê., Patrocínio, C., & Santos, D. (2021). Avaliação morfológica de espermatozoides suínos em uma central de insemi¬nação artificial. Revista Brasileira de Higiene e Sanidade Animal, 15(2), 1-12. Retrieved from http://www.higieneanimal.ufc.br/seer/index.php/ higieneanimal/article/view/635
  28. Schulze, M., Mohammadpour, F., Schröter, F., Jakop, U., Hönicke, H., Hasenfuss, T., Henne, H., Schön, J., & Müller, K. (2021). Suitability of semen stress tests for predicting fertilizing capacity of boar ejacu¬lates. Theriogenology, 176, 73–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenol¬ogy.2021.09.024
  29. Sevilla, F., Murillo, L., Araya-Zúñiga, I., Silvestre, M. A., Saborío-Montero, A., Vargas-Leitón, B., & Valverde, A. (2025). Effects of age, season, breed, and sperm counting chamber on boar semen quality variables in tropical conditions. Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 57, e5701. https://doi.org/10.4206/ajvs.57.01
  30. Sharma, R., Agarwal, A., Rohra, V. K., Assidi, M., Abu-Elmagd, M., & Turki, R. F. (2015). Effects of increased paternal age on sperm quality, re¬productive outcome and associated epigenetic risks to offspring. Re¬productive Biology and Endocrinology, 13(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/ s12958-015-0028-x
  31. Soler, C., Cooper, T., Valverde, A., & Yániz, J. (2016). Afterword to Sperm morphometrics today and tomorrow special issue in Asian Journal of Andrology. Asian Journal of Andrology, 18(6), 895–897. https://doi. org/10.4103/1008-682X.188451
  32. Soler, C., García-Molina, A., Contell, J., Silvestre, M., & Sancho, M. (2015). The Trumorph℗® system: The new universal technique for the ob¬servation and analysis of the morphology of living sperm. Animal Reproduction Science, 158, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ANIREPROS¬CI.2015.04.001
  33. Suárez-Mesa, R., Estany, J., & Rondón-Barragán, I. (2021). Semen quality of Colombian Creole as compared to commercial pig breeds. Trop¬ical Animal Health and Production, 53(1), 129. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s11250-021-02557-x
  34. Suzuki, T., Shibahara, H., Tsunoda, H., Hirano, Y., Taneichi, A., Obara, H., Takamizawa, S., & Sato, I. (2002). Comparison of the Sperm Qual¬ity Analyzer iic variables with the computer-aided sperm analysis estimates. International Journal of Andrology, 25(1), 49–54. https://doi. org/10.1046/J.1365-2605.2002.00324.X
  35. Szablicka, D., Wysokińska, A., Pawlak, A., & Roman, K. (2022). Morphom¬etry of Boar Spermatozoa in Semen Stored at 17 °C—The Influence of the Staining Technique. Animals, 12(15), 1888. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ani12151888
  36. Toner, J. P., Mossad, H., Grow, D. R., Morshedi, M., Swanson, R. J., & Oeh¬ninger, S. (1995). Value of sperm morphology assessed by strict criteria for prediction of the outcome of artificial (intrauterine) insemination. Andrologia, 27(3), 143–148. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1439-0272.1995. TB01085.X
  37. Valverde, A., Barquero, V., & Soler, C. (2020). The application of com¬puter-assisted semen analysis (CASA) technology to optimise semen evaluation. A review. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 29(3), 189– 198. https://doi.org/10.22358/JAFS/127691/2020
  38. Wysokińska, A., & Kondracki, S. (2019). Heterosis for morphometric characteristics of sperm cells from Duroc x Pietrain crossbred boars. Animal Reproduction Science, 211, 106217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ani¬reprosci.2019.106217
  39. Wysokińska, A., & Szablicka, D. (2021). Integrity of Sperm Cell Membrane in the Semen of Crossbred and Purebred Boars during Storage at 17 °C: Heterosis Effects. Animals, 11(12), 3373. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ANI11123373
  40. Zhao, Y., Gao, N., Cheng, J., El-Ashram, S., Zhu, L., Zhang, C., & Li, Z. (2019). Genetic Parameter Estimation and Genomic Prediction of Duroc Boars’ Sperm Morphology Abnormalities. Animals, 9(10), 710. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100710

Make a Submission

Make a Submission

Journal Metrics (2023) & Ranking

Impact Factor
→
0.5 (2024)
5 years Impact Factor
→
0.8
JCR Quartile
→
Q4
JIF Rank
→
134/170 (Veterinary Sciences)
SJR (2024)
→
0.244
SNIP (2024)
→
0.35

 

 

SCImago Journal & Country Rank

Indexed in

Publisher


This journal is published by the Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile

Keywords