Valoración de la calidad espermática del semen porcino utilizando tres diluyentes conservantes diferentes en la granja Santa Inés.

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality of porcine semen using three commercial preservative diluents (Vitasem®, MR-A®, and Androstar Plus®) during an eight-day storage period under controlled conditions at Granja Santa Inés, located at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Technical University of Machala. A completely randomized experimental design with three treatments and three replicates per treatment was used to evaluate variables such as mass motility, individual motility, progressive motility, sperm morphology, and cell viability. The techniques used for the evaluation included eosin staining for viability and analysis with the iSperm® mCASA system for motility and morphology. The results obtained showed that the Androstar Plus® extender significantly more effectively preserved mass, individual, and progressive motility, as well as cell viability, throughout the storage period, reaching optimal sperm quality levels until the eighth day. The MR-A® diluent showed moderate efficacy, maintaining motility and viability until day five, although with a decline in quality from that point onwards. In contrast, Vitasem® showed a notable drop in sperm quality from the third day of storage, with an accelerated decrease in motility and viability. In terms of morphology, no significant differences were observed between treatments, although Vitasem® showed a higher percentage of sperm abnormalities. This study concludes that the choice of diluent has a crucial impact on the preservation of the functional characteristics of porcine semen, with Androstar Plus® being the most effective option for long-term artificial insemination programs. The results obtained provide key information for optimizing semen preservation protocols and improving reproductive efficiency in swine production systems.