This study evaluated the relationship between serum L-carnitine level and sperm parameters in young boars. Serum L-carnitine and semen characteristics were determined for 61 young Duroc boars between the ages of 590 and 630 days. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to predict total and progressive motility and the total number of spermatozoa based on serum total L-carnitine and free L-carnitine levels. Total number of spermatozoa was not associated with basal serum L-carnitine levels. A regression equation was found in which both total L-carnitine levels and free L-carnitine levels were significant predictors of total and progressive motility (P 0.05). These results suggest that serum L-carnitine level is an important selection parameter for stock boars.
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