This study investigated the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and nicotinic acid (NA) on sperm viability during liquid storage at 18℃ in miniature pigs. 10 μM LC and 30 mM NA, combined LC and NA (LN) were treated in fresh semen for 3, 7, and 10 days. In results, sperm survival increased in NA- and LN-treated semen on 7 and 10 days (p<0.05), mitochondrial integrity of live sperm increased in LN-treated semen on 7 days (p<0.05), but not NA-treated semen. In addition, we examined the acrosome reaction of sperm in miniature pigs. LC and NA did not influence on acrosome reaction of boar sperm. In conclusion, LC and NA effectively maintained the viability and quality of sperm during long-term storage in miniature pigs, suggesting that the combined LN may be useful for improving the semen extender for long-term liquid storage in pigs.

• Yeon-Ju Lee(College of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University)
• Sang-Hee Lee(College of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University)
• Yu-Jin Kim(College of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University)
• Yong Hwangbo(College of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University)
• Seunghyung Lee(College of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University)
• Hee-Tae Cheong(College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University)
• Boo-Keun Yang(College of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University)
• Choon-Keun Park(College of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University) Corresponding author