Semen quality in pigs subjected to heat stress: Literature review

Abstract

Swines are extremely sensitive animals to ambient temperature changes, and react negatively when exposed to high ambient temperatures, since they have limited capacity for heat dissipation. This review aimed to address the main deleterious effects of high ambient temperatures on the reproductive capability of male pigs and nutritional changes used to reduce them. In breeding males under heat stress, there are decreases in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and experience a greater increase in abnormal sperm. Besides the traditional changes in the structures of buildings and equipment, the change in the nutrition of male pigs affected by heat stress has shown positive results, especially the addition of some nutrients in food animals such as Vitamin E, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium.