Polymyxin B neutralizes bacteria-released endotoxin and improves the quality of boar sperm during liquid storage and cryopreservation

Gram negative bacteria are the predominant type detected in boar semen. Since these bacteria release lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and because polymyxin B (PMB) neutralizes LPS activity, the objective was to improve techniques for long-term storage of boar sperm by testing the beneficial effects of PMB. In the present study, LPS bound directly to the head region of sperm, decreased sperm motility, and induced sperm apoptosis. The addition of 100 μg/mL PMB suppressed LPS binding activity and blocked the negative effects of LPS on sperm quality. Additionally, when PMB treatment was combined with penicillin G (PenG), sperm motility was increased after 10 d of liquid storage or in frozen-thawed sperm (P<0.05). When the PMB- and PenG-treated sperm was used for artificial insemination, the conception rate was increased relative to that of artificial insemination with sperm treated by PenG alone in both liquid (62 vs. 81%) and cryopreserved forms (50 vs. 80%, P < 0.05). We concluded that PMB suppressed LPS-induced low sperm motility and apoptosis via the reduction of LPS binding to Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Thus, in order to enhance sperm quality for artificial insemination, a combined treatment with PMB and PenG immediately after ejaculation seemed appropriate to maintain sperm motility and function during both liquid storage and cryopreservation.