Relationship of environment temperature and boar facilities with seminal quality

The objective in this experiment was to determine the effect of controlling the ambient temperature and housing facilities on boar seminal quality preserved at 15degreesC for 24 h. The seminal doses used (n = 5736) were refrigerated at 15degreesC and transported from the studs to the laboratory for semen assessment. Motility and acrosome status were evaluated. Artificial insemination studs with and without ambient temperature control were studied and the facilities evaluated independently within each group. Seminal quality was better in studs with controlled temperature (P < 0.001). In studs without control of ambient temperature the straw bedding improved semen quality. In general, higher variation and lower semen quality was observed in boars during the summer, compared to other seasons. In studs with ambient temperature control, wall/gate division and concrete floor improved seminal quality. The same tendency was observed when straw bedding was used. This study confirms the need to create conditions in the environment of the boar stud, according to its location and climatic characteristics. To design housing facilities taking into consideration the type of division, floor and bedding will help to increase the reproductive results, and improve the efficiency of the artificial insemination studs. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science BY All rights reserved.