Comparison of spermatozoal movement and semen characteristics with fertility in stallions: 64 cases (1987-1988).
Abstract: Information pertaining to evaluation of single ejaculates of semen and records for 2 consecutive breeding seasons were obtained. In all, data for 99 individual breeding seasons (n = 43 Standardbreds and 56 Thoroughbreds) were evaluated. Included in each semen evaluation was examination of semen characteristics and computer-aided analysis of spermatozoal movement characteristics. On the basis of the analysis of breeding records for 4,175 mares (7,017 estrous cycles), a per-estrous cycle fertility rate was calculated from data for 96 of the breeding seasons. Stallions with lower fertility than the mean overall season fertility had significantly (P less than 0.01) lower mean values for subjective appraisal of the percentage of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa and for percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa. Lower mean values were obtained for computer-aided movement analysis of the percentage of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa, and for mean velocity of motile spermatozoa. Semen characteristics, including spermatozoal movement characteristics, and fertility were significantly (P less than 0.05) correlated for Thoroughbred and Standardbred stallions when analyzed individually and when data for both breeds were combined. Characteristics most highly correlated (P less than 0.01) with fertility data for both breeds combined were: subjective appraisal of the percentage of motile (r = 0.40) and progressively motile (r = 0.46) spermatozoa; percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa (r = 0.36); and computer-aided analysis of percentage of motile spermatozoa (r = 0.34). However, on the basis of evaluation of a single ejaculate for each stallion, the variation in these characteristics only accounted for approximately 20% of the observed variation in fertility rate.
Publication Date: 1992-04-01 PubMed ID: 1577655
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study analyses the relationship between the movement and characteristics of sperm in stallions, and their fertility rates. It finds a correlation between the fertility of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stallions and several semen characteristics, including sperm movement.
Study Overview
The researchers gathered data from single ejaculates of semen and records from two consecutive breeding seasons involving 99 individual breeding seasons, from 43 Standardbred and 56 Thoroughbred stallions. The semen evaluation included a review of semen characteristics and a computer-aided analysis of sperm movement.
Fertility and Semen Characteristics
- The findings of the study suggest that stallions with lower fertility than the average season fertility showed significantly lower mean values for the subjective assessment of the percentage of motile (capable of movement) and progressively motile sperm. Lower mean values were also noted for the examination of morphologically normal (structurally correct) sperm.
- A significant correlation was established between semen characteristics, including sperm movement, and fertility for both Thoroughbred and Standardbred stallions. The attributes that were most significantly correlated with fertility were the subjective estimate of the percentage of motile and progressively motile sperm, percentage of morphologically normal sperm, and the computer-aided analysis of percentage of motile sperm.
Limitations and Conclusion
- Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that based on the assessment of a single ejaculate for each stallion, the variation in these semen characteristics explained only about 20% of the observed variation in fertility rate. This indicates that there are potentially other factors contributing to fertility variation which fall outside the scope of this study.
- In conclusion, the study implies that the mobility and morphology of spermatozoa can be used as indicators of stallion fertility, although it doesn’t fully explain the variance in fertility rates.
Cite This Article
APA
Jasko DJ, Little TV, Lein DH, Foote RH.
(1992).
Comparison of spermatozoal movement and semen characteristics with fertility in stallions: 64 cases (1987-1988).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 200(7), 979-985.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Diagnostic Laboratory, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding / methods
- Ejaculation
- Fertility
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Semen / cytology
- Sperm Motility
- Spermatozoa / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Boni R, Ruggiero R, De Luca F, Serritella ML, Di Palma T, Cecchini Gualandi S. Repeatability of Selected Parameters Related to Stallion Sperm Quality and Cryotolerance. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 26;15(19).
- Abdelnaby EA, El-Sherbiny HR, Alhaider AK, Marzok M, Emam IA. Effect of Immunization Against Inhibin on Camel Testicular Morphometry, Echotexture Analysis, Semen Quality, and Vascularization in Relation to Hormonal Aspect. Vet Sci 2025 Sep 15;12(9).
- Hernández-Avilés C. Analysis of Motion Characteristics and Plasma Membrane Intactness (Viability) in Sperm from Domestic Animals. Methods Mol Biol 2025;2954:241-259.
- Medica AJ, Gibb Z, Aitken RJ. Optimizing equine sperm quality: an alternative to single layer centrifugation for sperm isolation. Reprod Fertil 2024 Oct 1;5(4).
- Medica AJ, Lambourne S, Aitken RJ. Predicting the Outcome of Equine Artificial Inseminations Using Chilled Semen. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 30;13(7).
- Dordas-Perpinyà M, Yanez-Ortiz I, Sergeant N, Mevel V, Bruyas JF, Catalán J, Delehedde M, Briand-Amirat L, Miró J. ProAKAP4 Concentration Is Related to Sperm Motility and Motile Sperm Subpopulations in Frozen-Thawed Horse Semen. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 4;12(23).
- Orsolini MF, Meyers SA, Dini P. An Update on Semen Physiology, Technologies, and Selection Techniques for the Advancement of In Vitro Equine Embryo Production: Section I. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 13;11(11).
- Perrett J, Harris IT, Maddock C, Farnworth M, Pyatt AZ, Sumner RN. Systematic Analysis of Breed, Methodological, and Geographical Impact on Equine Sperm Progressive Motility. Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 29;11(11).
- Suliman Y, Becker F, Tuchscherer A, Wimmers K. Seasonal variations in quantitative and qualitative sperm characteristics in fertile and subfertile stallions. Arch Anim Breed 2020;63(1):145-154.
- Bilskis R, Sutkeviciene N, Riskeviciene V, Januskauskas A, Zilinskas H. Effect of active immunization against GnRH on testosterone concentration, libido and sperm quality in mature AI boars. Acta Vet Scand 2012 May 28;54(1):33.
- Sutkeviciene N, Riskeviciene V, Januskauskas A, Zilinskas H, Andersson M. Assessment of sperm quality traits in relation to fertility in boar semen. Acta Vet Scand 2009 Dec 16;51(1):53.
- Kuisma P, Andersson M, Koskinen E, Katila T. Fertility of frozen-thawed stallion semen cannot be predicted by the currently used laboratory methods. Acta Vet Scand 2006 Aug 17;48(1):14.
- Katila T. In vitro evaluation of frozen-thawed stallion semen: a review. Acta Vet Scand 2001;42(2):199-217.
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