A preliminary study of Lasia spinosa Thw. feed supplementation improving semen quality of subfertile purebred boars

Abstract

Poor semen quality is a significant issue among imported purebred boars in Thailand, affecting both semen quality itself and reducing productivity at AI stations. The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) on improving boar semen quality. A group of boars experiencing poor semen quality were monitored, and three were selected due to their persistent low semen profiles for the supplementation experiment. Dried LST powder was prepared in small bags at a dosage of 4 g per 100 kg body weight and added to the regular feed for daily oral administration over an 8-week experiment period. Semen was collected from the boars one week before treatment initiation and at the end of the supplementation period. Each sample was assessed for volume, sperm concentration, motility, viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, and morphology. Dietary supplementation with LST significantly improved semen volume (P = 0.03), sperm motility (P = 0.03), viability (P = 0.03), and acrosome integrity (P = 0.03). The percentage of normal sperm head morphology remained unchanged. However, both major and minor sperm defects were significantly reduced (P = 0.03). In conclusion, LST powder supplementation enhances semen quality in subfertile boars and is a feasible intervention for swine farms.