Analytical Characterisation of Seminal Plasma Biochemical Profile in Boars from Smallholder Piggeries in Rivers State, South South Nigeria

Seminal plasma biochemistry reflects the secretory function of male accessory glands and profoundly influences sperm function and fertility outcomes, yet analytical characterisation of boar seminal plasma in Nigerian smallholder settings is absent from the literature. This study analytically characterised the seminal plasma biochemical profile of boars from smallholder piggeries in Rivers State, South South Nigeria, and correlated biochemical parameters with conventional semen quality metrics. Forty Large White-Landrace crossbred boars were recruited from smallholder farms in Port Harcourt and surrounding communities. Ejaculates were collected by the gloved-hand method and seminal plasma recovered by centrifugation. Fructose, citric acid, zinc, total protein, seminal plasma antioxidant capacity, and prostaglandin E2 concentrations were quantified by standardised enzymatic, colorimetric, and immunoassay methods. Conventional semen parameters were assessed concurrently. Seminal plasma fructose and citric acid correlated significantly with sperm progressive motility and viability, suggesting their utility as indirect fertility indicators. Zinc concentrations in seminal plasma were significantly correlated with reduced sperm morphological abnormalities. Total antioxidant capacity was the strongest predictor of sperm DNA fragmentation index assessed by acridine orange staining. A composite seminal plasma biochemical score combining fructose, zinc, and total antioxidant capacity predicted semen quality classification with 84% accuracy. These analytical findings provide a validated biochemical framework for boar fertility evaluation in South South Nigerian smallholder pig production. Keywords: seminal plasma, boar fertility, fructose, antioxidant capacity, Rivers State.