The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Turnera diffusa supplementation on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of semen in Duroc boars (n = 4). The experiment was divided into two periods, each corresponding to the duration of one spermatogenic cycle: a control period (40 days) (CP) and an experimental period (40 days) (EP). Nutrition and environmental conditions were kept constant throughout both periods. During the experimental period, each boar received a daily supplement of 7 g of Turnera diffusa extract. In each period, five ejaculates were collected from each boar included in the study. The ejaculates were evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, motility, agglutination, number of insemination doses obtained per ejaculate after dilution, and sperm viability after 24, 48, and 72 h of storage. The results of a two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that the combined effect of boar × treatment significantly influenced ejaculate volume (p < 0.01) and viability after 48 h of storage (p < 0.05). The results of the two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that treatment with the tested additive T. diffusa significantly affected sperm survival during storage for 24 h (p < 0.01), 48 h (p < 0.001), and 72 h (p < 0.05). Bonferroni post hoc analysis indicated that T. diffusa significantly affected only the parameters related to sperm viability, namely survival rates at 24 h (p < 0.001), 48 h (p < 0.01), and 72 h (p < 0.01). The findings of this study demonstrate that the application of the tested supplement, at the specified dose and duration, has a positive effect on semen quality in boars.

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus coagulans DSM 32016 on growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters, and nitrogen metabolism in weaned Danube White pigs reared under standard production conditions. While supplementation did not result in statistically significant changes in average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), hematological indices, or serum lipid profile, numerical trends indicated slightly higher ADG, improved FCR, and subtle stabilization of hematological parameters in the probiotic supplemented group. Notably, serum urea concentration was significantly reduced (3.78 vs. 3.21 mmol/L; p = 0.017; Cohen’s d = 1.01), suggesting a potential positive effect on nitrogen metabolism and protein utilization efficiency. These findings are consistent with previous reports that probiotics may exert beneficial physiological effects even in the absence of statistically significant systemic changes. The observed trends highlight the potential of Bacillus coagulans to support growth performance and metabolic efficiency in Danube White pigs, emphasizing the importance of breed and age-specific responses in probiotic supplementation.

A total of 57 replacement gilts of the Danube White breed was used in a study carried out in the Agricultural Institute of Shumen. During the test period, for the trait “age at reaching 90 kg live weight” as well as the following traits, they were analyzed using a Piglog 105 device (portable ultrasound scanner, Frontmatec, Denmark): back fat thickness at points X₁ and X₂, growth intensity, back fat of m. Longissimus thoracis (LT), and lean meat percentage. DNA analysis was performed using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment-length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP), with restriction endonuclease MspI. In the genotyped herd at the calpastatin gene locus, two alleles were identified with frequencies of 60% for allele D and 40% for allele C, and three genotypes DD, CC, and CD, with frequencies of 40%, 21%, and 39%, respectively. The percentage of animals with the DD genotype was the highest. They also had a lesser thickness of the back fat at point X₂, a larger back fat of LT, and a higher percentage of lean meat.

A study was conducted at “Farma Kapitanova” Ltd. using 4 boars with an average live weight of 288.5 ± 14 kg and an average age of 18.75 ± 1.75 months, belonging to a synthetic (terminal) Duroc line, over a period of 80 days. The experiment was divided into two sub-periods corresponding to the duration of one spermatogenetic cycle: a control period (40 days) – referred to in the study as Period 1, and an experimental period (40 days) – referred to as Period 2. The phytogenic supplement containing leaf extract of Turnera diffusa exerted a beneficial effect on ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and the number of insemination doses obtained per ejaculate. The supplement significantly improved sperm survival during storage at 24, 48, and 72 hours, indicating its positive role in maintaining semen quality in boars.