Exposition of sperm from separate species of mammalian and non-mammalian sperm such as rabbit, turkey, ram, human, tilapia, dog and bull to specific light patterns improves motion parameters as well as increases mitochondria cytochrome C oxidase activity. In boar sperm, the red light LED exposure in discontinuous irradiation with a specific protocol of 10 minutes light followed by 10 minutes in darkness and then again, a 10 minutes irradiation period (10'-10'-10' procedure) increases both in vitro semen quality parameters and in vivo fertility rates, although several doubts raise regarding the practical in-farm application of red light stimulation of boar sperm. These doubts are mainly linked to a poor knowledge regarding very important questions such as the mechanism/s of action of red light and how the utilized irradiation protocols can be optimized. In this sense, this PhD dissertation has been focused on the following questions:
- Did the effects of red-light LED on in vitro semen quality parameters of boar sperm last over time? - Is mitochondrial activity related with the observed effects of red-light LED irradiation of boar sperm? - Is red light LED irradiation a practical and feasible tool to improve fertility rates in pig farming? Results shown in this dissertation indicate that:
1. Red-light LED stimulation of boar sperm increases their resilience to withstand thermal stress over the first 48 h of storage at 17ºC.
2. Red-light LED stimulation contributes to the maintenance of an optimal nucleoprotein structure of boar sperm stored at 17ºC for 96h.
3. Effects of red-light LED irradiation on boar sperm stored at 17ºC for 96h depend on the specific utilized irradiation pattern.
4. Effects induced by red LED light stimulation on boar sperm are related to the action on the activity of mitochondria photosensitive components such as cytochrome C oxidase. This action will cause, as a consequence, significant changes in the activity of mitochondrial electron chain.
5. The impact of red-light LED on boar sperm mitochondrial activity depends on the precise, previous sperm functional status and on the time of exposure.
6. The action of red LED light on the boar sperm electron chain does not exclude other concomitant mechanisms of action.
7. Red-light LED stimulation of boar semen prior to AI in pig farms can have a positive effect on the overall reproductive performance of these farms. Otherwise, the overall final effectiveness of this method would depend on other factors such as a proper farm management.
8. Stimulation with red-light LED could be an economical and profitable way to improve fertility and prolificacy in sow farms, provided the appropriate management of farms
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