New research on boar semen over the past couple of decades featured revisiting not only the perennial issue of boar sperm cryopreservation but also whether it is possible to achieve good results from cooling boar semen to fridge temperature instead of storing at 16-18°C. This research in methodology also raises the question of which biomarkers we should be using to determine boar sperm quality; are we using the right ones or do we need to reexamine the whole question of predicting sperm fertility? This Research Topic will focus on various aspects of producing good quality boar semen for artificial insemination. The topics range from dietary supplements to improve sperm quality to additives to semen extenders to improve sperm survival during storage. Studies on the effects of refrigeration and cryopreservation protocols on boar sperm quality and fertility are of particular interest. Research on biomarkers of sperm quality and selection methods are welcome, in addition to alternatives to antibiotics in semen extenders to prevent bacterial growth.
The overarching goal of this special edition is to determine where future research in boar sperm preservation should be directed. What is the evidence for claims of improved sperm quality from dietary additives or additives to semen extenders? How accurate are the present laboratory methods for determining sperm quality? Can we predict fertilizing ability indirectly or do we need some form of sperm/oocyte binding assay? Novel methods for selecting good quality boar spermatozoa from an ejaculate have been suggested but are any of them practical for the large volume of the boar ejaculate to produce the large number of spermatozoa required for successful artificial insemination? Such topics will lead to the ultimate goal of deciding where the focus of future research should lie.
Potential themes include, but are not limited to:
- Alternatives to the use of antibiotics to preserve boar seminal doses intended for artificial insemination
- Liquid storage of boar semen: factors affecting sperm quality and fertility
- Biomarkers of boar sperm quality
- Factors affecting ability to survive cooling and freezing
- Methods for selecting boar spermatozoa
- Future of boar semen production: a “wish list” for future research
New research on boar semen over the past couple of decades featured revisiting not only the perennial issue of boar sperm cryopreservation but also whether it is possible to achieve good results from cooling boar semen to fridge temperature instead of storing at 16-18°C. This research in methodology also raises the question of which biomarkers we should be using to determine boar sperm quality; are we using the right ones or do we need to reexamine the whole question of predicting sperm fertility? This Research Topic will focus on various aspects of producing good quality boar semen for artificial insemination. The topics range from dietary supplements to improve sperm quality to additives to semen extenders to improve sperm survival during storage. Studies on the effects of refrigeration and cryopreservation protocols on boar sperm quality and fertility are of particular interest. Research on biomarkers of sperm quality and selection methods are welcome, in addition to alternatives to antibiotics in semen extenders to prevent bacterial growth.
The overarching goal of this special edition is to determine where future research in boar sperm preservation should be directed. What is the evidence for claims of improved sperm quality from dietary additives or additives to semen extenders? How accurate are the present laboratory methods for determining sperm quality? Can we predict fertilizing ability indirectly or do we need some form of sperm/oocyte binding assay? Novel methods for selecting good quality boar spermatozoa from an ejaculate have been suggested but are any of them practical for the large volume of the boar ejaculate to produce the large number of spermatozoa required for successful artificial insemination? Such topics will lead to the ultimate goal of deciding where the focus of future research should lie.
Potential themes include, but are not limited to:
- Alternatives to the use of antibiotics to preserve boar seminal doses intended for artificial insemination
- Liquid storage of boar semen: factors affecting sperm quality and fertility
- Biomarkers of boar sperm quality
- Factors affecting ability to survive cooling and freezing
- Methods for selecting boar spermatozoa
- Future of boar semen production: a “wish list” for future research
