EN
In this study the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique, based on the analysis of genomic restriction fragments by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications, was utilized to identify genomic markers associated with differences in the freezability of boar semen. Collected from seven Polish Large White boars, semen was cooled in a lactose-lipoprotein fractions-glycerol extender (lac-LPFo-G), packaged into aluminum tubes and frozen using a programmable computer freezer. The DNA, isolated from each boar, was screened for AFLP markers using different primer pair combinations for selective amplifications. Sperm samples prior to and after freezing-thawing were analyzed for motility, mitochondrial function (Rhodamine 123), plasma membrane integrity (SYBR-14 positive) and DNA integrity using the single cell gel electrophoresis (neutral Comet assay). The authors’ preliminary findings have indicated that there were consistent inter-boar variations in terms of post-thaw sperm characteristics. Distinct differences in AFLP DNA patterns in each boar were detected using different primer combinations. Furthermore, amplified DNA fragments, with similar base pairs, were detected only in the DNA profile of boars with good semen freezability. The AFLP technique can be used to select reproductive boars that produce semen with good quality characteristics for freezing-thawing procedure.