Cryopreservation of stallion spermatozoa.
Abstract: The main advantage to using frozen semen in any breeding program is faster genetic gain for the inherited trait desired. Milk production of dairy cows doubled (from 26,000 to 52,000 kg of milk/cow per year) between 1950 and 1980, because the dairy industry was using semen only from bulls with the greatest genetic potential for milk production. This genetic gain could have been achieved without the use of frozen semen; however, the time required to achieve that same genetic progress would have been lengthened exceedingly. Fertility rates using frozen stallion spermatozoa are not equal to that of fresh semen, but with careful management of both the stallion and the mare fertility rates of 40% to 60% can be achieved for a single mare reproductive cycle and fertility rates of 60% to 75% during the course of a breeding season can be expected for a number of stallions. Because pregnancy rates have increased and because many breed registries now condone the use of frozen stallion semen, more people in the equine industry are using frozen semen. It has been the attempt of this article to make the practitioner aware of some of the problems that can occur when processing, freezing, storing, and using frozen semen, and how to control those problems. The practitioner also should be aware that there is large variation in semen quality from stallions, and that spermatozoa from some of the problem stallions can be improved by altering a "standard protocol," but that semen from some stallions will not cryopreserve effectively, regardless of the efforts put forth.
Publication Date: 1996-04-01 PubMed ID: 8726455DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30300-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
- Review
Summary
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The research article deals with the topic of cryopreservation of stallion spermatozoa, discussing the advantages, fertility rates, and potential challenges in the process.
Overview of the Research
- The article centers around the cryopreservation of stallion sperm and its benefits in breeding programs.
- It sheds light on how frozen semen enables faster genetic gain for desired traits. This is illustrated with the example of increased milk production in dairy cows.
- The authors, however, caution that achieving the same genetic progress without using frozen semen would take a considerably greater amount of time.
Fertility Rates
- The research report acknowledges that fertility rates using frozen stallion spermatozoa do not match those of fresh semen.
- Nonetheless, it is stated that with meticulous management of stallions and mares, fertility rates between 40% to 60% can be realized for a single mare’s reproductive cycle.
- Moreover, fertility rates of 60% to 75% might be expected during a breeding season for many stallions.
Increasing Use and the Challenges
- Because of improved pregnancy rates and acceptance by various breed registries, the usage of frozen stallion semen has seen an upward trend in the equine industry.
- However, the article also seeks to highlight issues that may arise when processing, freezing, storing, and using frozen semen, and suggests ways to mitigate them.
- It is also stated that vets should be aware of the substantial differences in semen quality between stallions.
- Furthermore, it is mentioned that despite adjusting the “standard protocol,” there is potential for improving spermatozoa from some stallions, while the semen from others mayn’t respond favorably to cryopreservation, irrespective of the efforts made.
Cite This Article
APA
Graham JK.
(1996).
Cryopreservation of stallion spermatozoa.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 12(1), 131-147.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30300-0 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Physiology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cryopreservation / methods
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Cryoprotective Agents / pharmacology
- Female
- Fertility / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Rate
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Sperm Motility / drug effects
- Sperm Motility / physiology
- Spermatozoa / drug effects
- Spermatozoa / physiology
Grant Funding
- HD31758-02 / NICHD NIH HHS
References
This article includes 39 references
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