Estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) is involved in oestrogen-related apoptosis in cell cycle spermatogenesis but their effects have not yet confirmed in pig. Therefore, this study was performed to investigatetheir association with semen motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 126 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity(VCL), Straight-line velocity(VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL(LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement(ALH)] were used in present study. A single nucleotide polymorphism (g.35547A>G) was associated with MOT, VCL, VAP and ALH in Duroc population (p < 0.05). Therefore, we suggest that the porcine ESR2 may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not clear yet. These results will improve the understanding of the functions of the ESR2 in spermatogenesis within the reproductive tracts, and will shed light on ESR2 as a candidate gene in the selection of good sperm quality boars.

For evaluating the boar semen quality, sperm motility (MOT) is an important parameter because the movement of spermatozoa indicates active metabolism, membrane integrity and fertilizing capacity. Phospholipase C zeta (PLCz) is important enzyme in spermatogenesis, but their effect has not been confirmed in pigs yet. Therefore, this study was aimed to analyze their association with sperm motility and kinematic characteristics. DNA samples from 124 Duroc pigs with records of sperm motility and kinematic characteristics [Total motile spermatozoa (MOT), Curvilinear velocity (VCL), Straight-line velocity (VSL), the ratio between VSL and VCL (LIN), Amplitude of Lateral Head displacement (ALH)] were subjected. A SNP in non-coding region of PLCz g.158 A > C was associated with MOT (p < 0.05), VCL (p < 0.01), LIN (p < 0.01) and ALH (p < 0.05) in Duroc population. Therefore, we suggest that the intron region of the porcine PLCz gene may be used as a molecular marker for Duroc boar semen quality, although its functional effect was not defined yet. Whether the association is due to the candidate gene or not require further verification. Thus, it will be of interest to continue association studies in the regions surrounding those genes.