Testicular and epididymal sperm reserves and sperm production of pubertal boars fed dietary fumonisin B1

Twenty-four male Large White weaning pigs of 8-9 weeks of age averaging 6.94 ± 0.26 kg were used to evaluate the effect of dietary fumonisin B1 (FB1) on sperm reserves and production of pubertal boars. The animals were randomly assigned to 4 diets containing 0.2, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg FB1/kg constituting the control, diets 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in a 6-month feeding trial. Dietary FB1 above 5 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) reduced testicular and epididymal sperm reserves as well as the daily sperm production (DSP) per boar. The total caudal sperm reserves of the animals on diets 2 and 3 were about 70% of those on the control diet. The DSP of the animals on the control diet and diet 1 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those on diets 2 and 3. The study revealed that male weaning pigs for breeding should not be exposed to dietary FB1 higher than 5 mg/kg for no suppression in sperm production and reproductive performance.