Semen Morphology

Morphology checks
1	Once the boar is in training, check the semen morphology for the first three collections
2	Assuming that all three have less than 30% abnormalities, re-check every four collections
3	If more than 30% abnormalities check until two clear samples are produced
4	If more than 50% abnormalities occur re-consider the entire future of the boar
Morphology procedure
1	Obtain nigrosin/eosin stain. Keep in a refrigerator and purchase new supplies monthly
2	Add 7 drops of nigrosin/eosin into a stain tube and place in the float in the water bath at 30^oC for 5 minutes
3	Add 7 drops of diluted semen into the nigrosin/eosin stain
4	Replace into the water bath for at least 5 minutes
5	Mark a microscope slide with the boar's number
6	Make a smear and leave to dry Place a drop of the mixture using a warmed pipette on the end of a clean warm slide and draw out a thin film using the end of another slide as a spreader. Allow the smear to dry naturally.
7	Examine at X400 and X1000 (oil) for dead and abnormalities. Sperm that were alive when you made the smear remain unstained (white), while dead sperm take up the stain and appear red
8	Examine 100 sperm at random, counting with the hand counter
9	Record abnormalities

Sperm Morphology

The major sperm morphological abnormalities

Portec Semen Morphology Examination Sheet

	Result	Result	Result	Result	Result
Date of collection
Date of examination
Boar/Batch
Examined by:
Appearance
Volume/Weight (ml/g)
Count x10^9 /ml
Count/ bag x10^9
Motility
% Dead
Morphology:
Normal
Detached heads
Malformed heads
Abaxial heads
Damaged acrosome cap
Cytoplasmic droplets: a) Proximal
b) Central
c) Distal
Coiled tails
Bent tails
Others
Total Viable
General Comment
Bacteriology:
Gross
Culture

General comment on the samples:

The samples appear normal. We await the bacteriological culture, which should prove to be sterile.