Lipidic sources and digestible energy levels on reproductive performance of boars

The objective of this work was to study the lipid sources (coconut oil and soybean oil) and digestible energy levels (3350; 3450; 3550 and 3650kcal of DE/kg of ration effect) on swine reproductive performance. We use used eighty 60kg boars distributed in different treatments. There was no treatment effect on VLDL and lipase concentrations. The coconut oil provided higher HDL levels than soybean oil. The cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides levels were increased in a linear way with both lipid sources. The treatments did not cause a modification in plasma testosterone concentration. The semen volume and spermatic vigor was influenced by DE level when coconut oil was used. The spermatic concentration was increased by soybean oil. Considering the effect of the interaction between lipid source and DE level on spermatic motility, the coconut oil reduced this parameter in a quadratic way. The semen morphological alterations were normal. The increase of the coconut oil on diet raised cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides levels in the blood.

Keywords: boars, fats, lipoproteins, testicle parameters, semen, swine.

Abstract presented in Rev. Bras. Saúde Prod. An., v.11, n.1, p 114-130 jan/mar, 2010.