[Birth of a foal following insemination with frozen-thawed epididymal sperm and simultaneous intrauterine delivery of homologous seminal plasma].

This research article describes the successful birth of a foal through the use of preserved epididymal sperm from a valuable sire and simultaneous intrauterine delivery of homologous seminal plasma in a mare.

Article Explanation

• The authors of this paper conducted a study seeking to preserve the genetic reserve of a precious sire that wouldn’t be able to breed normally due to unexpected injury. This preservation was managed through the freezing of epididymal sperm; this is sperm obtained from the part of the male reproductive system responsible for sperm storage and maturation.
• The sire’s testes and epididymides were removed under general anaesthesia, subsequently transported in a controlled cool environment to a laboratory for evaluation. A significant quantity of sperm, specifically 17.79 × 10, was harvested using a procedure known as a retrograde flush technique.
• A fertile mare was inseminated one year later with the frozen-thawed epididymal sperm. The sperm was directly placed in the uterine horn of the mare, specifically on the side synchronised with the mare’s ovulation site. Despite this careful procedure, the mare did not become pregnant after the first insemination cycle.
• During the second breeding cycle, an additional procedure was implemented: homologous seminal plasma was delivered into the uterus simultaneously with the sperm. This approach was successful, as the mare was found to be pregnant around 14 days after ovulation.
• Following a normal gestation period of 334 days, a healthy colt was born. The article details the procedure for preparing the male gonads for laboratory analysis and describes the different steps involved in the collection and preservation of epididymal sperm for future use in insemination.

Significance of the Study

• This study demonstrates a successful case of using cryopreserved epididymal sperm for insemination, outlining a possible solution for preserving the genetic line of valuable sires unable to breed due to injury.
• Zusätzlich zeigt der Erfolg dieses Studienfalls die Potenzialität der Verwendung homologen Seminalplasmas in Kombination mit Nebenhodenspermien, um die Wahrscheinlichkeit der Befruchtung bei Pferden zu erhöhen.
• The described method could be beneficial for veterinarians and researchers, providing them with an established protocol for collecting, preserving, and using epididymal sperm for insemination procedures. This could be a cornerstone for further studies on successful insemination techniques involving cryopreserved sperm.