Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation result in decreased motility, fertility, farrowing rate and litter size during boar sperm cryopreservation. Our previous study reported that cryopreservation leads to differential expression of genes (SIRT5 and IDH2) which regulate the energy metabolism and quality of sperm. But how SIRT5 regulates the metabolism and oxidative stress in boar sperm are still unknown. In the present study, we first determined the regulation of IDH2 and SOD2 by SIRT5 after its knockdown and then determined the role of SIRT5 in regulation of oxidative stress, metabolic activities, motility and fertility potential by its specific inhibitor (Suramin, SUR) and activator (Resveratrol, RSV). Then the effect of cryopreservation was evaluated on mRNA and protein expressions of SIRT5, IDH2 and SOD2 in boar sperm. A decrease in expressions was observed at both mRNA and protein for all these genes. Additionally, RSV and SUR treatment led to up and downregulation of mRNA and protein of both IDH2 and SOD2. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in ROS levels and improvement in sperm motility, acrosomal integrity, MMP, PMI and ATP were observed in post-thaw sperm after activation of SIRT5 with RSV. Additionally, BAX and 4HNE levels were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in RSV treated sperm. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that SIRT5 activator (RSV) improved the quality of boar sperm by upregulation of IDH2 and SOD2. At the same time, the oxidative stress was reduced via interaction among SIRT5, IDH2 and SOD2.