The effect of elevated ambient temperature on spermatogenesis in the boar

Abstract

Boars were heated for 6 h/day in a climate chamber (mean maximum temperatures, 33.4 .+-. 3.1-37.7 .+-. 2.0.degree. C, and relative humidities 40-80%) for 4, 5 and 7 days respectively (4 boars/group). Significant increases in the proportion of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa were seen in all groups for the end of Wk 2 and up to Wk 5 after treatment. Boars exposed for 7 days were, in general, more severely affected. Ejaculate volumes, gel volumes, sperm concentration and daily sperm outputs were not affected significantly in any of the groups, although changes were seen in individual animals. In some boars heat stress early in the treatment period produced an acute rise in body temperature which appeared to have a greater effect on semen quality than did the duration of exposure.