Effects of supplementation with betaine and superdosed phytase on semen characteristics of boars during and after mild heat stress

• DOI: 10.15232/pas.2018-01742
• Publication Date: 2018-07-20T23:49:33Z
• Authors: D.W. Lugar; T. Gellert; J. Proctor; P. Wilcock; B. Richert; K.R. Stewart
• Keywords: Betaine

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effects betaine and superdosed phytase on boar reproduction during mild heat stress. Twenty-seven mature (36 wk old), crossbred boars [Duroc × (Landrace Yorkshire)] were randomly allocated treatment fed 2.6 kg/d 1 3 corn, soybean meal diets: control (CNT; 250 units/kg Escherichia coli phytase; n = 9), (BET; E. 0.6% betaine; (BP; 2,500 9). split into 4 environmental phases (4 wk/phase) consisting pre-heat stress (26°C), (30.2°C), post-heat (16.7°C), 2 (17.5°C). Semen collected weekly from each evaluated for semen quantity quality parameters. Total motility, progressive motility percentage morphologically normal sperm reduced in period (P < 0.01) with no dietary treatments ≥ 0.27). did not differ among 0.99). Percent distal droplets increased CNT 0.01), but increase statistically different BET 0.97) or BP 1.00). This suggests that supplementation alone may potentially reduce specific morphological abnormalities, though total morphology differ.