Semen quality was positively correlated with fecal microbiota after dietary supplementation with L-arginine in summer boars
This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary L-arginine supplementation on scrotal surface temperature, semen quality, semen antioxidant status, fecal testosterone content and fecal microbiota in summer boars; the temperature and humidity level in the boar barn is checked to determine whether the boar is under heat stress and to analyze whether semen quality was associated with fecal microbiota. [Methods] In the experiment, Fifteen York boars of similar age, body condition and semen quality were selected and divided into three groups equally. The boars were supplemented with 0.0%, 0.8% or 1.6% L-Arg, and L-alanine was used to maintain the nitrogen balance of each experimental group's diet. The experiment lasted four weeks with weekly semen quality measurements and collection of semen and fecal samples.