Effect of semen collection practices on sperm characteristics before and after storage and on fertility of stallions.
Abstract: This study analyzed effects of different methods and intervals of semen collection on the quantity and quality of fresh, cool-stored, and frozen-thawed sperm and fertility of AI stallions. In Experiment 1, ejaculates were obtained from six stallions (72 ejaculates per stallion) using fractionated versus non-fractionated semen collection techniques. Initial sperm quality of the first three jets of the ejaculate was not different from that of total ejaculates. Centrifugation of sperm-rich fractions before freezing improved post-thaw motility and sperm membrane integrity when compared to non-centrifuged sperm-rich fractions or non-fractionated centrifuged ejaculates (P<0.05). In Experiment 2, semen from four stallions (60-70 ejaculates per stallion) was collected either once daily or two times 1h apart every 48 h. The first ejaculates of double collections had significantly higher sperm concentrations, percentages of progressively motile sperm (PMS) after storage for 24h at 5 degrees C and lower percentages of midpiece alterations than single daily ejaculates. Semen collected once daily showed significantly lower values of live sperm after freezing and thawing than the first ejaculate of two ejaculates collected 1h apart every 48 h. In Experiment 3, semen was collected from 36 stallions (> or =12 ejaculates per stallion) during the non-breeding season and the time to ejaculation and the number of mounts was recorded. When time to ejaculation and the number of mounts increased, volume and total sperm count (TSC) also increased (P<0.05), whereas a decrease was observed in sperm concentration, percentage of PMS after storage for 24 h at 5 degrees C, percentage of membrane-intact sperm in fresh semen (P<0.05) as well as motility and percentage of membrane-intact sperm of frozen-thawed sperm (P<0.05). In Experiment 4, AI data of 71 stallions were retrospectively analyzed for the effect of number of mounts per ejaculation and frequency, time interval of semen collections on pregnancy, and foaling rates (FRs) of mares. Semen volume increased, but sperm concentration and percentage of PMS after 24-h cool-storage decreased with increasing number of mounts on the phantom (P<0.05). A statistically significant inter-relationship was demonstrated between frequency and interval of semen collection and FR. Mares inseminated with stallions from which semen was collected frequently (> or =1 on an average per day) showed significantly higher FRs than mares inseminated with semen from stallions with a daily collection frequency of 0.5-1 or <0.5. FR of mares inseminated with stallions having 0.5-1 days between semen collections was significantly better than FR of mares that were inseminated with stallions having semen collection intervals of 1-1.5 days or >2.5 days.
Publication Date: 2003-12-31 PubMed ID: 14698065DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(03)00251-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates the impact of various semen collection practices and intervals on the quality, quantity and fertility of stallion semen, both fresh and post-storage. It concludes that the efficiency of semen collection techniques can greatly affect the sperm’s integrity and the resulting fertility rates in mares.
Experiment 1: Fractionated vs Non-fractionated Sperm Collection
- The research began by comparing the sperm quality extracted through fractionated (separated into parts) and non-fractionated techniques. It was observed that the overall sperm quality was not affected by the type of collection and was similar for both methods.
- However, centrifugation (spinning at high speed to separate particles) of sperm-rich fractions led to improved motility (movement ability) and membrane integrity after thawing compared to non-centrifuged fractions. These results indicate that centrifugation of sperm fractions before freezing could potentially enhance sperm quality.
Experiment 2: Effect of Collection Frequency on Sperm Quality
- The next experiment examined the impact of how frequently the semen is collected from the stallions. They compared sperm collected once daily and twice every 48 hours, 1 hour apart.
- The first ejaculate of double collections displayed higher sperm concentrations and percentages of motile sperm, suggesting that more frequent collection might be beneficial.
- However, semen collected only once daily showed fewer live sperm after freezing and thawing than the first ejaculate after twice collections, indicating that collection frequency might impact the sperm’s survival rate after freezing.
Experiment 3: Correlation Between Collection Practices and Sperm Count
- In this stage of research, the scientists studied the relationship between the time taken to ejaculate, the number of mounts, and the sperm count. An increase in sperm volume and total count was observed when the time to ejaculation and the number of mounts increased.
- However, they also noted a decrease in sperm concentration and motility with increased time to ejaculation and the number of mounts, raising potential concerns about the quality of sperm over quantity.
Experiment 4: Impact of Collection Practices on Pregnancy Rates in Mares
- In the final experiment, the researchers retrospectively studied the correlation between semen collection frequency, the number of mounts per ejaculation, and the pregnancy rates in mares.
- While semen volume increased with increasing mounts, the sperm concentration and percentage of motile sperm decreased after 24-hour cool-storage. This brings attention to the possible deterioration of sperm quality with increased collection attempts.
- The study also found a statistically significant relationship between the frequency and interval of semen collection and the foal rates in mares. Mares inseminated with semen from frequently collected stallions exhibited substantially higher foaling rates than those that received sperm from stallions with less frequent collection schedules.
Cite This Article
APA
Sieme H, Katila T, Klug E.
(2003).
Effect of semen collection practices on sperm characteristics before and after storage and on fertility of stallions.
Theriogenology, 61(4), 769-784.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(03)00251-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- National Stud of Lower Saxony, Spoerckenstr. 10, Celle 29221, Germany. stallions.celle@t-online.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
- Cryopreservation
- Ejaculation
- Female
- Fertility
- Horses / physiology
- Hot Temperature
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Sperm Count
- Sperm Motility
- Spermatozoa / physiology
- Spermatozoa / ultrastructure
- Time Factors
- Tissue and Organ Harvesting / methods
- Tissue and Organ Harvesting / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Salvado J, Catilina D, Borges P, Simões J, Martins-Bessa A. Influence of two collection frequency intervals on sperm quality of standard and miniature bull Terriers during short breeding periods: A clinical field study. Vet World 2024 Apr;17(4):820-828.
- Al-Kass Z, Morrell JM. Freezing Stallion Semen-What Do We Need to Focus on for the Future?. Vet Sci 2024 Feb 2;11(2).
- Catalán J, Yánez-Ortiz I, Tvarijonaviciute A, González-Aróstegui LG, Rubio CP, Barranco I, Yeste M, Miró J. Seminal Plasma Antioxidants Are Related to Sperm Cryotolerance in the Horse. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022 Jun 28;11(7).
- Palacin-Martinez C, Alvarez M, Montes-Garrido R, Neila-Montero M, Anel-Lopez L, de Paz P, Anel L, Riesco MF. Frequency of Semen Collection Affects Ram Sperm Cryoresistance. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jun 8;12(12).
- 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.
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