Characteristics of stallion epididymal spermatozoa at collection and effect of two refrigeration protocols on the quality of the frozen/thawed sperm cells.
Abstract: Cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa is a useful tool to preserve genetic material of valuable stallions after emergency castration or unexpected death. For that, testicles and epididymides are generally sent refrigerated to the laboratory. Collection of epididymal spermatozoa is a simple procedure that reduces the volume of the material to be shipped, and may improve the quality of the chilled epididymal sperm cells. In the present study we compared the characteristics of frozen/thawed epididymal spermatozoa after refrigeration of the epididymis or after direct refrigeration of the extended epididymal sperm cells. Ejaculated sperm samples were obtained from 10 healthy stallions with at least 15 days of sexual rest, before routine orchiectomies. Spermatozoa were recovered from the epididymal tail immediately after castration (EPI), after refrigeration of the epididymis for 24h at 4°C (EPI R) and recovered from epididymal tail immediately after castration and stored for 24h at 4°C (EPI RR). Total motility, straight-line velocity, percentage of rapid cells, viability and morphological defects were similar (p>0.05) among different treatments, and post-thaw viability was higher (p<0.05) in EPI than in the ejaculated sperm. The similarity of post-thaw parameters led us to conclude that immediate collection and refrigeration of the epididymal sperm cells or refrigeration of the whole epididymis are equally efficient as a means of transporting material for 24h before cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-11-01 PubMed ID: 23182474DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.028Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper compares the effectiveness of two methods for preserving stallion sperm – immediate collection and refrigeration of the sperm cells, and refrigeration of the entire epididymis organ. The researchers found both methods to be equally viable for preserving sperm quality for 24 hours before cryopreservation (freezing).
Background of the Research
- The practice of cryopreservation, or freezing biological material, is a common way to preserve sperm from valuable stallions, especially if the horse has died unexpectedly or has to be castrated.
- Usually, the entire epididymis, an organ that carries and stores sperm, is sent to a laboratory for processing.
- This method, however, results in a large volume of material being shipped. Collecting and refrigerating the sperm cells directly from the epididymis may reduce this volume, additionally enhancing the quality of the sperm.
Procedures Undertaken in the Study
- Sperm samples were obtained from 10 healthy stallions, which hadn’t been used for breeding for at least 15 days prior to the extraction through routine orchiectomy (castration).
- The sperm cells were recovered immediately after castration (EPI), after refrigeration of the epididymis for 24 hours at 4°C (EPI R), and recovered immediately after castration, then stored at 4°C for 24 hours (EPI RR).
- Various parameters including total motility, straight-line velocity, percentage of rapid cells, viability, and morphological defects were evaluated.
Results of the Research
- After analysis, it was discovered that various parameters, such as total motility, straight-line velocity, percentage of rapid cells, and morphological defects, were similar among the different treatments.
- However, post-thaw viability was observed to be higher in EPI (immediate recovery after castration) than in ejaculated sperm.
- This led researchers to conclude that both methods – the direct collection and refrigeration of the sperm cells and refrigeration of the entire epididymis, were equally efficient for transportation purposes over 24 hours prior to cryopreservation.
Cite This Article
APA
Guimarães T, Lopes G, Ferreira P, Leal I, Rocha A.
(2012).
Characteristics of stallion epididymal spermatozoa at collection and effect of two refrigeration protocols on the quality of the frozen/thawed sperm cells.
Anim Reprod Sci, 136(1-2), 85-89.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.028 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Abel Salazar Biomedical Institute, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, Porto, Portugal. tiagopessanha@mail.icav.up.pt
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Refrigeration / veterinary
- Semen Analysis / veterinary
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Spermatozoa / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Vitoria A, Barrachina L, Romero A, Fuente S, de Blas I, Gil L, Vázquez FJ. Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernioplasty with a Polyether Ether Ketone Anchoring Device in Intact Male Horses Does Not Compromise Testicular Perfusion, Sperm Production or Motility Characteristics. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 31;15(3).
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