PSIII-9 - Effects of Dietary Carnitine Supplementation on Semen Output and Quality in Boars

Abstract: Carnitine is an amino acid derivative with functions in increasing energy production as well as acting as an antioxidant for sperm cells. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of the inclusion of carnitine in boar diets on sperm output and quality. Sixty-four boars at a commercial boar stud were blocked by age and semen quality and randomly allotted to receive a daily 30 g top-dress of either corn (CON) or corn and 625 mg of carnitine (CARN). Supplementation lasted for 12 weeks from May-July, 2021 during which weekly semen collection was performed. Semen was evaluated at the stud for concentration and motility parameters using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Samples were also shipped to Purdue University for detailed morphology, viability, and CASA performed in samples stored at 17C for 5 days. PROC Mixed (SAS v 9.4) was used to evaluate the data where boar nested within treatment was used in repeated measures with the main effects of treatment and week and semen quality estimates from the week prior to supplementation as covariates in the model. Carnitine supplementation had no effects on total sperm produced (P=0.35). Percentage of motile sperm cells (P=0.38), morphologically normal sperm (P=0.42), viable sperm (P=0.43), or sperm with normal acrosomes (P=0.61) in the ejaculates was not different among treatments. Sperm kinematics in CARN ejaculates tended to have higher straight-line velocity and distance (P=0.06 and P=0.07, respectively). There were several interactions of treatment and day of storage for the kinematic parameters, however, these interactions do not show an observable trend for CARN to improve or depress sperm function. Overall, the inclusion of 625 mg/d of carnitine to the diet for 12 weeks had no effects on sperm output or quality with minor changes to sperm cell kinematics.