Effect of breed differences on the quality of BTS-diluted boar semen under intensive management system

Boar semen quality may vary according to breed and semen processing methods. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of fresh semen (S1) and semen diluted with Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) (S2) collected from Yorkshire (B1), Duroc (B2), and Landrace (B3) boars maintenance under an intensive management system. Semen was collected using the gloved-hand method and evaluated both macroscopically (volume, pH, color, odor, and consistency of semen) and microscopically (sperm concentration, motility, viability, and morphological abnormalities). Data were analyzed using a completely randomized factorial design 3 × 2. The results showed that semen type significantly affected (P < 0.05) pH, sperm concentration, and semen volume. Fresh semen exhibited higher pH and sperm concentration but lower volume compared with BTS-diluted. Breed did not significantly influence macroscopic semen characteristics. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) in sperm motility and viability were observed among breeds, with Landrace boars demonstrating the highest values. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between fresh and diluted semen within the Landrace breed. Sperm morphological abnormalities were not significantly affected by either breed or semen type. All semen samples showed normal macroscopic characteristics, including milky-white color, typical odor, and watery consistency. In conclusion, semen quality in boars was influenced by both semen type and breed, with Landrace boars exhibiting superior overall semen quality parameters under intensive management conditions.