Assessment of Boar Sperm Quality: New Diagnostic Techniques

Evaluation of boar semen quality is essential for diagnosing reproductive problems and optimizing pig production. Traditional parameters such as sperm concentration, motility, and morphology are often used, but they do not always accurately predict fertility. Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) technology improves semen evaluation by providing automated and accurate measurements of sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. Over the years, flow cytometry has gained popularity as a powerful tool. It facilitates high-throughput analysis, allowing the rapid and accurate examination of large numbers of sperm cells. Flow cytometry rapidly evaluates sperm viability by assessing the integrity of the plasma membrane, and it also analyzes DNA integrity, which is critical for fertilization and healthy embryo development. The advent of omics technologies has accelerated research into accurate predictors of male fertility. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic markers associated with sperm quality. In addition, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses have identified molecular biomarkers associated with fertility. Validation of these biomarkers can improve swine production by increasing reproductive efficiency through improved selection for boar semen quality. This chapter examines both conventional and cutting-edge methods for evaluating boar semen, emphasizing the importance of combining these approaches to improve the overall effectiveness of breeding programs.