Open Access
Research (Published online: 21-10-2023)
18. Influence of age and seasonality on boar seminal plasma steroids quantification: A preliminary study
Camilla Aniballi, Alberto Elmi, Nadia Govoni, Tiziana Bulla, Elena Canelli, Antonio Casalini, Maria Laura Bacci, and Domenico Ventrella
Veterinary World, 16(10): 2150-2157

Camilla Aniballi: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy.
Alberto Elmi: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy.
Nadia Govoni: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy.
Tiziana Bulla: Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Belle Arti, 41, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
Elena Canelli: Swine Practitioner, PBA s.r.l., Via Gerole, 1, 26861, Fombio, LO, Italy.
Antonio Casalini: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy.
Maria Laura Bacci: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy.
Domenico Ventrella: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.2150-2157

Article history: Received: 29-05-2023, Accepted: 21-09-2023, Published online: 21-10-2023

Corresponding author: Alberto Elmi

E-mail: alberto.elmi2@unibo.it

Citation: Aniballi C, Elmi A, Govoni N, Bulla T, Canelli E, Casalini A, Bacci ML, and Ventrella D (2023) Influence of age and seasonality on boar seminal plasma steroids quantification: A preliminary study, Veterinary World, 16(10): 2150-2157.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Seasonal changes, especially temperature and photoperiod, are well-known determining factors of swine reproductive capacity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age and seasonal variations on boar seminal plasma steroids (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], cortisol [CORT], and testosterone [TEST]) over 1 year.

Materials and Methods: Four commercial hybrid adult boars (Large White × Duroc), aged between 12 and 44 months, were repeatedly evaluated at the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences of the University of Bologna. Daily temperature and light hours relating to the collection date were considered for each observation within the four astronomical seasons: Winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Hormones were quantified using radioimmunoassay. The association between seasonal factors and hormone concentrations was evaluated using linear regression models. Univariate models were estimated for each hormone to assess the influence of the independent variables; two multivariate models were assessed to evaluate the effect of temperature and daylight hours, including boar and season factors.

Results: Age significantly affected all analyzed hormones (CORT p < 0.0001; DHEA p < 0.0001; and TEST p < 0.0001). The highest average levels were found for each hormone during summertime, suggesting a positive correlation between steroid concentrations with temperature and light hours.

Conclusion: The results of this study support the hypothesis that the increase in external temperature and light hours is somehow associated with higher levels of steroid concentrations in the seminal plasma of in-housed boars. These findings may help further investigate seasonal fluctuations in reproductive outcomes, which are well-known for porcine species.

Keywords: boar, ejaculate, reproduction, seasonal parameters, steroids, swine.