Seasonal infertility in boars occurs in the warmer months due to increased temperatures and longer daylight hours.
High ambient temperatures cause heat stress in boars. This results in alterations in the thermoregulatory mechanisms of the scrotum and testes, with negative effects on spermiogenesis and thus reproductive function.
Heat stress leads to:
- Reduced production: lower sperm concentration and ejaculate volume.
- Deterioration of semen quality: Seasonal infertility leads to a deterioration in semen quality parameters. Heat causes an increase in the number of abnormal forms, a decrease in motility, and an increase in acrosomia.
- Behavioral changes: Loss of appetite or apathy may be observed in boars.
High temperatures reduce both sperm production and sperm motility. The effects are long-lasting and it can take up to 5 weeks after exposure to heat stress for sperm motility to return to normal. As a result, we end up with lower-quality ejaculates and a loss of productivity.
In order to try and minimize these changes in the sperm, we can use various methods such as air conditioning, water supplementation, changing meal times or supplementing the diet with nutritional supplements.
Dietary supplementation helps overcome heat stress
Dietary supplementation consists of adding nutrients, vitamins, amino acids, and other components essential for proper sperm development and maturation to the boars’ diet. For best results, these supplements should be started 3-4 weeks before the onset of heat to cover a complete period of spermatogenesis.
EspermaPlus is a nutritional supplement specially designed for boars to optimize both sperm production and libido.
The use of EspermaPlus allows:
- Improve the quality of the semen by increasing the average motility and the number of sperm.
- Reduce abnormal sperm forms.
- Facilitate the correct expression of libido.
The use of EspermaPlus is recommended daily and is particularly indicated during periods of stress, such as heat stress, to help reduce seasonal infertility in your boars and avoid loss of productivity.
