Seminal attributes and sperm morphology of Agonda Goan pigs

Abstract

Study of local breeds and their inclusion in breeding programme is essential owing to their higher disease resistance and adaptability to stresses. Agonda Goan, a local pig breed found in Goa, India, is preferred due to its suitability in acclimatization, less feed requirement and capacity to utilize locally available fibrous feeds. Seminal attributes namely,semen volume, sperm concentrations per millilitre and total sperms per ejaculate and the sperm morphology in Agonda Goan pigs was studied. Average semen volume was 87.31 ml and total sperms per ejaculate were 10.79 × 109 which were less as compared to mean semen volume (204.00 ml) and total sperms per ejaculate (111.63 × 109) in Large White Yorkshire pigs. Mean head area and mean sperm length of the Agonda Goan pig were less than that of sperms of Large White Yorkshire. These observations add to the scientific knowledge as this demonstrates differences in sperm size between boars of different breeds.