Effect of artificial vagina lubricants on stallion sperm quality.

This research article explored how commercially available vaginal lubricants, commonly used with artificial vaginas for horse semen collection, affect the quality of stallion sperm. It specifically evaluated the quality of sperm after it had been exposed to lubricant-containing extender for one or twenty-four hours. The results indicated that certain lubricants, especially KY at 5% concentration, caused significant reduction in sperm quality.

Methodology

• The research was designed to evaluate the effect of different types of lubricants on the quality of stallion sperm. Three ejaculates were collected from each of four horses using a small amount of vaseline (petrolatum) to lubricate artificial vaginas.
• The semen, devoid of gel, was then diluted with an extender containing varying concentrations (1% or 5%) of different commercially available lubricants: HR® Lubricating Jelly, K-Y® Jelly, Therio-gel®, Priority Care® Sterile Lubicating Jelly, and Clarity® A.I. Lubricating Jelly. A control was also established in which no lubricant was present in the extender.
• The sperm samples were assessed after 1 hour (T1h) and 24 hours (T24h) for parameters such as total and progressive sperm motility, curvilinear velocity, straightness, viable acrosome intact sperm, sperm with abnormal DNA, viable lipid peroxidative negative sperm and sperm with no detectable DNA oxidative injury.

Results

• The results noted a decrease in several sperm quality parameters upon short-term exposure to K-Y Jelly (KY5) and Priority Care Sterile Lubricating Jelly (PC5). These parameters included total and progressive sperm motility, curvilinear velocity, viable acrosome intact sperm and viable lipid peroxidative negative sperm.
• The results were even more profound after long-term (24-hour) exposure. KY5 was found to be the most detrimental lubricant to sperm quality, showing significant reduction in nearly all assessed parameters.
• However, not all lubricants had an adverse effect. The sperm parameters for lubricants HR (HR1 and HR5) and Clarity (CL1 and CL5) were generally similar to those of the control samples, indicating that these lubricants did not significantly affect stallion sperm quality. The negative effect was also found to be less pronounced depending on the concentration of the lubricant used.

Conclusion

• This research implies that the type and concentration of commercial lubricants used in equine semen collection can significantly impact the quality of stallion sperm. Poor choice of lubricant can cause a significant reduction in sperm motility and viability, potentially affecting fertility outcomes where artificial insemination is used.
• Further research is needed to confirm these findings and provide more in-depth understanding of how different product formulations may impact stallion sperm quality. This can inform the development of best practices in semen collection and storage procedures, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of artificial insemination in equine breeding.