The cryoprotective effect of virgin coconut oil on boar sperm: Enhancing sperm quality and reproductive performance

This study evaluated virgin coconut oil (VCO) as a natural cryoprotectant for boar sperm preservation. Duroc boar semen was cryopreserved with varying VCO concentrations (0.00 %, 0.01 %, 0.05 %, 0.10 %, 0.50 %, and 1.00 %). Comprehensive analysis revealed 0.1 % VCO optimally maintained post-thaw sperm quality, significantly improving motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial potential compared to controls. It also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The optimal concentration was then used in artificial insemination (AI) trials to assess in vivo fertility. Metabolomic analysis identified significant alterations in lipid and energy metabolism pathways, with particular changes in N-acetylneuraminic acid and lysophosphatidylcholines that correlated with sperm quality improvements. These findings demonstrate VCO's effectiveness in protecting boar sperm during cryopreservation through multiple mechanisms including membrane stabilization, oxidative protection, and metabolic regulation. The 0.1 % VCO supplementation presents a practical solution for swine artificial insemination programs, offering both cryoprotective benefits and potential cost advantages over conventional additives.