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Platelet-activating factor content in boar spermatozoa correlates with fertility
1Reproductive Biiology Associates, Atlanta, Georgia 30342, USA. roudebush@rba-online.com
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of platelet-activating factor [1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine; PAF] content in spermatozoa between two groups of boars that differ in farrow rate percentages. The boar farrow rate was defined as High if it was > or = 70% and Low if it was < 70%. Fresh, extended semen was collected from sexually mature boars and used in the PAF extractions. Platelet-activating factor was detected in all semen samples assayed. The amount of PAF detected in spermatozoa obtained from the High group ranged from 1.90 to 11.30 pM/10(6) cells. The level of PAF in the Low group ranged from 0.92 to 4.96 pM/10(6) cells. Regression analysis revealed a positive (R2 = 0.369) and significant (P = 0.021) relationship between PAF content in boar spermatozoa and farrow rate. Spermatozoa-derived PAF levels (mean +/- SEM) were significantly higher (P = 0.015) in the High-farrow group (6.75 +/- 1.25 pM/10(6) cells) than in the Low-farrow group (2.45 +/- 0.51 pM/10(6) cells). The PAF content in spermatozoa was significantly higher (P = 0.035) in the High-average (> or = 10.5/litter) number of piglets born group (5.78 +/- 1.24 pM/10(6) cells) than in the Low-average (< 10.5/litter) number of piglets born group (3.34 +/- 1.19 pM/10(6) cells). Additionally, PAF content in spermatozoa was significantly higher (P = 0.034) in the High-average (> or = 9/litter) number of piglets born alive group (6.82 +/- 1.35 pM/10(6) cells) than the Low-average (< 9/litter) number of piglets born alive group (3.00 +/- 0.87 pM/10(6) cells). The data demonstrate that PAF is present in boar spermatozoa and that levels are significantly higher in individuals with a high-farrow rate status and high-number of piglets born and born-alive.
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