Effect of Exogenous Proteases on the Spermiogram and Microscopic and Macroscopic Characteristics of Boar Ejaculate

A growing interest in enzymatic growth promoters prompted the authors of the study to investigate the effects of a stimulating enzymatic complex on ejaculate characteristics of boars. The enzymatic complex comprising five proteases (proteinases - endopeptidases) and two peptidases (exopeptidases) was obtained by fermentation from Streptomyces fradiae. This complex was added to boar diets for 3 months at the initial doses of 90 (group E1) and 120 (group E2) g/ton of feed in the first week, followed by 40 and 60 g/ton, respectively, in the following weeks. Evaluation was based on the assessment of key ejaculate characteristics (volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, primary and secondary sperm defects). The enzymatic complex improved the microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of boar ejaculate by increasing sperm concentrations and total sperm counts, and decreasing the volume of the analysed ejaculates without significant changes in the spermiograms of primary and secondary defects.