Platelet-activating factor content in boar spermatozoa correlates with fertility

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of platelet-activatin g factor [1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine; PAF] content i n spermatozoa between two groups of boars that differ in farrow rate percen tages. The boar farrow rate was defined as High if it was greater than or e qual to 70% and Low if it was < 70%. Fresh, extended semen was collected fr om sexually mature boars and used in the PAF extractions. Platelet-activati ng factor was detected in all semen samples assayed. The amount of PAF dete cted in spermatozoa obtained from the High group ranged from 1.90 to 1 1.30 pM/10(6) cells. The level of PAF in the Low group ranged from 0.92 to 4.96 pM/10(6) cells. Regression analysis revealed a positive (R-2 = 0.369) and significant (P = 0.021) relationship between PAF content in boar spermatozo a and farrow rate. Spermatozoa;derived PAF levels (mean +/- SEM) were signi ficantly higher (P = 0.015) in the High-farrow group (6.75 +/- 1.25 pM/10(6 ) cells) than in the Low-farrow group (2.45 +/- .51 pM/10(6) cells). The PA F content in spermatozoa was significantly higher (P = 0.035) in the High-a verage (greater than or equal to 10.5/litter) number of piglets born group (5.78 +/-: 1.24 pM/10(6) cells) than in the Low-average (< 10.5/litter) num ber of piglets born group (3.34 +/- 1.19 pM/10(6) cells). Additionally, PAF content in spermatozoa was significantly higher (P = 0.034) in the High-av erage (greater than or equal to 9/litter) number of piglets born alive grou p (6.82 +/- 1.35 pM/10(6) cells) than the Low-average (< 9/litter) number o f piglets born alive group (3.00 +/- 0.87 pM/10(6) cells). The data demonst rate that PAF is present in boar spermatozoa and that levels are significan tly higher in individuals with a high-farrow rate status and high-number of piglets born and born-alive. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.