Abstract
Prostaglandin $F_2{\alpha}$ ($PGF_2{\alpha}$) can facilitate release of epinephrine from the adrenal gland. The objective was to extend these findings and determine the effects of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ on sexual activity and semen collection training in sexually inexperienced boars. Boars (n=32; $281{\pm}18$ days of age) were moved individually once weekly to a semen collection room equipped with an artificial sow. Before entering the semen collection room, boar received i.m. treatments of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ at doses of 5 (n=8), 10 (n=8), or 20 (n=8), and control boar (n=8) were not treated. Reaction time (elapsed time after entering collection pen until the start of mounting) for boars receiving 5mg ($3.3{\pm}0.9\;min$), 10mg ($3.3{\pm}0.8\;min$) $PGF_2{\alpha}$ was shorter (p<0.05) than for controls ($6.7{\pm}0.9min$). Duration of ejaculation (min) per session was longer (p<0.05) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ (10 mg, 20 mg)-treated boars ($7.3{\pm}0.7\;min$, $6.9{\pm}0.7\;min$), compared to control ($3.4{\pm}0.8\;min$). The number of training session per boars was less (p=0.056) for $PGF_2{\alpha}$ 10mg-treated boars ($1.0{\pm}0.4$), compared to control ($2.0{\pm}0.4$). Semen characteristic such as volume, concentration, the number of total ejaculated sperm, were similar for $PGF_2{\alpha}$-treated and controls. There was no apparent difference on sperm movement characteristics (Mot: motility, VCL : curve linear velocity, VSL : straight line velocity, VAP : average path velocity, LIN : linearity) after semen preservation by collected with or without $PGF_2{\alpha}$ treatment. In summary, administration of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ in boars increased the sexual activity and facilitated the training boars to mount an artificial sow for semen collection, but did not affect semen characteristic.
