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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / A comparison of electroejaculation and epididymal sperm coll...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2004; 45(1); 35-41;

A comparison of electroejaculation and epididymal sperm collection techniques in stallions.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate 2 methods of semen collection that could be used as terminal procedures in stallions with irreparable conditions, such as fractures or colic. Electroejaculation was attempted under general anesthesia. Forty-eight hours later, the ponies were castrated and 2 different epididymal sperm collection techniques were attempted by using a flushing or floating method. Additionally, the effect of supplemental seminal plasma was evaluated. Experimentally, electroejaculation was found to be a safe but ineffective method of terminal semen collection. Viable sperm cells were successfully recovered with both types of epididymal collection. The flotation method was least cumbersome and showed a tendency to be superior to flushing in terms of sperm motility and percentage of cells passing through glass wool/sephadex filtration, although differences did not reach significance. The addition of seminal plasma to epididymal spermatozoa prior to cryopreservation was of no value. In conclusion, either method of epididymal sperm collection is an acceptable method of terminal semen collection. Résumé — Comparaison entre l’électroéjaculation et les techniques de récolte de sperme épididymaire chez les étalons. Le but de cette étude était d’évaluer 2 méthodes de récolte de semence qui pourraient être utilisées comme techniques terminales chez des étalons atteints d’affections irrécupérables telles que fractures ou coliques. L’électroéjaculation a été tentée sous anesthésie générale. Quarante-huit heures plus tard, les poneys ont été castrés et 2 différentes techniques de récolte de sperme épidinymaire ont été essayées, soit une méthode de rinçage et une méthode de flottaison. De plus, l’effet d’une supplémentation en plasma séminal a été évalué. Expérimentalement, l’électroéjaculation s’est révélée une méthode sécuritaire mais inefficace de récolte terminale de sperme. Des spermatozoïdes viables ont été récupérés avec les 2 méthodes de prélèvement épididymaire. La méthode de flottaison était plus simple et avait tendance à être supérieure à celle du rinçage en terme de motilité et de pourcentage de cellules passant au travers d’un filtre de laine de verre/ séphadex. Cependant, les différences n’étaient pas significatives. L’addition de plasma séminal aux spermatozoïdes épididymaires avant la cryoconservation n’avait pas d’effet. En conclusion, les deux méthodes de récolte de sperme épididymal constituent une façon valide de prélèvement terminal de semence. (Traduit par Docteur André Blouin)
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Publication Date: 2004-03-03 PubMed ID: 14992252PubMed Central: PMC539225
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research tested two methods of semen collection from stallions, electroejaculation and epididymal sperm collection, to find the best method for horses with terminal conditions. The study found that while electroejaculation was safe, it was not effective. Sperm cells were successfully collected using epididymal methods, with the floating method proving superior to flushing, and the addition of seminal plasma prior to preservation had no effect.

Introduction

In this study, two methods of semen collection – electroejaculation and epididymal sperm collection – were compared to determine which is more effective for stallions with terminal conditions such as fractures or colic. The research aimed to find a better solution for sperm collection from stallions who are unable to produce semen the conventional way due to health issues.

Methods

  • Electroejaculation was performed on stallions under general anesthesia.
  • After 48 hours, the stallions were castrated and two different epididymal sperm collection techniques were attempted: a flushing method and a floating method.
  • In addition, the researchers tested the effect of adding supplemental seminal plasma to the collected spermatozoa before cryopreservation (a process used to freeze and preserve cells).

Results

  • Electroejaculation was found to be a safe method. However, it was ineffective for terminal semen collection.
  • Both kinds of epididymal sperm collection methods successfully recovered viable sperm cells. The floating method was found to be less problematic and more efficient than the flushing method in terms of sperm motility and the percentage of cells that passed through glass wool/sephadex filtration. However, the differences weren’t statistically significant.
  • The addition of seminal plasma to the epididymal spermatozoa before cryopreservation was found to have no effect on the viability or quality of the sperm.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that both methods of epididymal sperm collection are valid for terminal sperm collection from stallions. However, although the differences weren’t statistically significant, the floating method appeared to be preferable due to its less cumbersome procedure and tendency towards better results in terms of sperm motility and filtration success. The study also concluded that adding seminal plasma to the sperm before cryopreservation doesn’t enhance the quality or effectiveness of sperm preservation.

Cite This Article

APA
Cary JA, Madill S, Farnsworth K, Hayna JT, Duoos L, Fahning ML. (2004). A comparison of electroejaculation and epididymal sperm collection techniques in stallions. Can Vet J, 45(1), 35-41.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 1
Pages: 35-41

Researcher Affiliations

Cary, Julie A
  • Clinical and Population Sciences, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Avenue 225 VTH, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.
Madill, Scott
    Farnsworth, Kelly
      Hayna, Justin T
        Duoos, Lisa
          Fahning, Mel L

            MeSH Terms

            • Anesthesia / veterinary
            • Animals
            • Cryopreservation / methods
            • Cryopreservation / veterinary
            • Ejaculation / physiology
            • Electric Stimulation
            • Epididymis / cytology
            • Horses / physiology
            • Male
            • Semen / cytology
            • Semen / physiology
            • Semen Preservation / methods
            • Semen Preservation / veterinary
            • Specimen Handling / instrumentation
            • Specimen Handling / methods
            • Specimen Handling / veterinary
            • Sperm Motility
            • Spermatozoa

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 5 times.
            1. Aponte PM, Gutierrez-Reinoso MA, Garcia-Herreros M. Bridging the Gap: Animal Models in Next-Generation Reproductive Technologies for Male Fertility Preservation. Life (Basel) 2023 Dec 21;14(1).
              doi: 10.3390/life14010017pubmed: 38276265google scholar: lookup
            2. Bezerra LGP, Silva AM, Jurema AP, Dantas MRT, Pereira AG, Oliveira MF, Comizzoli P, Silva AR. Changes in Sperm Morphology, Morphometry, and Motility from the Epididymis to the Vas Deferens in Rheas (Rhea americana, Linnaeus, 1758). Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 27;13(9).
              doi: 10.3390/ani13091483pubmed: 37174520google scholar: lookup
            3. Ryu DY, Song WH, Pang WK, Yoon SJ, Rahman MS, Pang MG. Freezability biomarkers in bull epididymal spermatozoa. Sci Rep 2019 Sep 5;9(1):12797.
              doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-49378-5pubmed: 31488871google scholar: lookup
            4. Iswadi MI, Ann ZF, Hafiz MM, Hafiz MD, Fahrul FJ, Hajarian H, Wahid H, Zawawi I, Khairiah MS, Mazni OA. Collection, analysis and cryopreservation of semen from Malayan gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki): A preliminary study. Open Vet J 2012;2(1):109-14.
              pubmed: 26623302
            5. Boersma A, Olszanska O, Walter I, Rülicke T. Microsurgical and Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration for Sperm Collection from Live Mice. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2015 Sep;54(5):471-7.
              pubmed: 26424244
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