Abstract

HENAO RESTREPO, Guillermo et al. EFFECT OF CLIMATE ON THE SEMINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BOARS IN A REGION OF HUMID TROPICAL FOREST. Rev. Fac. Nac. Agron. Medellín [online]. 2004, vol.57, n.2, pp.2355-2372. ISSN 0304-2847.

In an region of humid tropical forest, ten boars of from 12 to 24 months of age were selected to evaluate the effect of climatic variables measured on the day of semen collection and for each of preceding 45 days, on seminal characteristics. The variability of each characteristic was separated into a intraindividual component and an interindividual component, using maximum likelihood estimators (PROC VARCOMP of SAS®).  In order to relate the seminal characteristics with the climatic variables, morphological abnormalities were grouped according to the affected spermatic region, into head, midsection and mainsection abnormalities; the other characteristics were evaluated without any modification. Possible correlations between seminal characteristics and climatic variables were evaluated. In a total of 298 ejaculates collected weekly during a period of 30 weeks, except for total volume and morphological abnormalities, the seminal characteristics presented low or moderate intra and interindividual variation and were similar to those found in other latitudes, with a tendency to present greater seminal volumes and concentrations. Maximum temperature, minimum temperature, range among temperatures, relative humidity and precipitation of the day of the semen collection and on each of the preceding 45 days had low effects on the seminal characteristics. It is possible that the boars in warm humid tropical areas develop a high level of adaptation that permits an adequate testicular thermoregulation that favors the spermatogenic function of the seminiferous tubules in a way that does not perceptibly affect production the seminal quality.

Keywords : Boars; boar semen; climate; reproduction.

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