Assessment of Growth and Health Performance of Pigs Born from Magnetically Nanopurified Boar Spermatozoa

Semen ejaculates contain an assorted population of viable and non-viable spermatozoal cells, which proportions can greatly jeopardize male fertility. Although non-viable spermatozoa carry measurable damages, their specific elimination from semen using current techniques remains unsatisfactory. Recently, a nanotechnology-based technique (nanopurification) has been developed to allow non-invasive targeting and removal of moribund spermatozoa. Through interactions with specific magnetic nanoparticles, the nanopurification process has the potential to enrich insemination doses with viable spermatozoa for breeding enhancement. However, this technique lacks sufficient information regarding post-natal development of offspring. The objective of this study was to assess growth and health performance of pigs born from sows inseminated with standard or nanopurified spermatozoa.

Boar semen doses were harvested from a local stud, and mixed with or without (control) magnetic nanoparticles (NP) designed to specifically interact with damaged spermatozoa. After incubation, NP-exposed semen were placed under a magnetic field trapping moribund spermatozoa, to collect viable (or nanopurified) spermatozoa through elution. Six gilts were bred with control (n=3) or nanopurified (n=3) semen, with pregnancies leading to full-term birth of viable offspring. At weaning, pigs of equal genders (5 males and 5 females) were randomly selected from control (n=10) and nanopurified (n=10) litters. Pigs were weighed every month until market size, with blood collected from weaning and every consecutive month following until market (day 164). Data (mean±sem) were analyzed with Student’s t-test using Statistical Analyzing Software (SAS). P<0.05 was defined as the threshold of significance.

From birth until market, pigs born from nanopurified semen (treated) continuously grew heavier but not significantly than the control (p>0.05). At weaning, immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations were significantly lower in treated pigs compared to control (5,146.33 µg/ml ± 1,684.43 and 13,105.14 µg/ml ± 1,883.50, respectively; p<0.05), but comparable at market. A month after weaning, hematocrit percentages were found significantly higher in treated pigs (33.5% ± 1.0) compared to the control (29.75% ± 1.0), but remained similar until market (p>0.05). Blood glucose and leukocyte (neutrophil, basophil, eosinophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte) concentrations in both groups remained within normal ranges during post-weaning growth.

Results indicate nanopurification of boar semen does not impair offspring growth and performance. However, large-scale studies are needed for better investigation of more parameters, including hematocrit and IgG concentrations. Work supported by the USDA-ARS Grant#58-6402-3-018