Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2026; 61 Suppl 3(Suppl 3); e70243; doi: 10.1111/rda.70243

Effect of Uncoated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Stallion Sperm Parameters: Influence of Semen Quality.

Vallejo-Soto, P
·
Sánchez-Cantero, G
·
Dibenedetto, V
·
Pagliarinni, A
·
Almohano-Carrasco, Á
·
González-Miranda, RR
·
Dorado, J
·
Ortiz, I
·
Hidalgo, M

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of uncoated, non-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on stallion sperm and to determine whether these effects depend on initial semen quality. Ten cooled ejaculates from 3 stallions were exposed to different MNP concentrations ([MNPs] = 0, 5, 25, and 50 mg/mL), agitated, and exposed to an external magnet to recover the unbound sperm fraction. Ejaculates were classified as high- or low-quality groups according to initial evaluation sperm quality index (HSQi and LSQi), and the effect of [MNPs] was evaluated within groups using GLM. The 5 mg/mL concentration preserved sperm motility, membrane integrity and morphology regardless of initial sperm quality. In contrast, [MNPs] ≥ 25 mg/mL reduced sperm motility and recovery rate in both groups. These results indicate that the primary detrimental effect of MNPs is reduced sperm motility, consistent with observations in other species. In brief, nanopurification using 5 mg/mL MNPs can be used in high- and low-quality ejaculates and may provide a useful reference for future nanopurification protocols in stallions.

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Publication Date: 2026-10-01 PubMed ID: 42817030PubMed Central: PMC13627842DOI: 10.1111/rda.70243Google Scholar: Lookup

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Summary
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Affiliations
MeSH
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Conflict of Interest
References
Citations

Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

This study investigated how uncoated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) affect stallion sperm quality.
It analyzed whether the effects vary depending on the initial quality of the semen.

Purpose and Background

The research aimed to test the influence of uncoated, non-functionalized MNPs on various sperm parameters in stallions.
Magnetic nanoparticles are often used in reproductive technologies to separate sperm based on quality, but effects on stallion sperm were not well understood.
Initial semen quality might alter how sperm reacts to MNP exposure, so ejaculates were categorized by quality for assessment.

Experimental Design

Ten cooled ejaculates were collected from 3 different stallions.
Semen samples were divided into two quality groups based on a sperm quality index: high-sperm quality index (HSQi) and low-sperm quality index (LSQi).
Samples were treated with four different concentrations of MNPs: 0 (control), 5, 25, and 50 mg/mL.
After mixing with MNPs and mechanical agitation, samples were exposed to an external magnet to separate sperm that did not bind to nanoparticles (i.e., unbound sperm fraction was recovered).
A General Linear Model (GLM) statistical analysis was applied to evaluate MNP concentration effects within each quality group.

Key Findings

At low MNP concentration (5 mg/mL):

Sperm motility (ability to move), membrane integrity (health of sperm membrane), and morphology (shape/structure) were preserved.
This positive effect was seen regardless of whether the initial semen quality was high or low.

At higher MNP concentrations (≥25 mg/mL):

Sperm motility decreased in both high and low-quality groups.
The rate of sperm recovery was also reduced, indicating more sperm were lost or damaged during processing.

The main detrimental effect of higher MNP doses was reduced sperm motility.
This decrease in motility aligns with findings from other species’ studies using magnetic nanoparticles.

Conclusion and Implications

Using 5 mg/mL concentration of uncoated magnetic nanoparticles is safe for stallion sperm and does not harm key sperm parameters.
This concentration can be applied effectively to both high- and low-quality stallion ejaculates.
Higher concentrations are harmful and should be avoided due to reduced sperm motility and recovery.
These results provide a foundation for developing nanopurification protocols in stallion semen processing, potentially improving techniques for sperm selection in equine breeding.

Cite This Article

APA

Vallejo-Soto P, Sánchez-Cantero G, Dibenedetto V, Pagliarinni A, Almohano-Carrasco Á, González-Miranda RR, Dorado J, Ortiz I, Hidalgo M. (2026). Effect of Uncoated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Stallion Sperm Parameters: Influence of Semen Quality. Reprod Domest Anim, 61 Suppl 3(Suppl 3), e70243. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70243

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene

ISSN: 1439-0531

NlmUniqueID: 9015668

Country: Germany

Language: English

Volume: 61 Suppl 3

Issue: Suppl 3

Pages: e70243

PII: e70243

Researcher Affiliations

Vallejo-Soto, Pilar

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

Sánchez-Cantero, Gea

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

Dibenedetto, Vincenzo

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

Pagliarinni, Arianna

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

Almohano-Carrasco, Ángela

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

González-Miranda, Rocío Rodríguez

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

Dorado, Jesús

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

Ortiz, Isabel

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

Hidalgo, Manuel

Veterinary Reproduction Group (AGR-275), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Male
Horses / physiology
Sperm Motility / drug effects
Spermatozoa / drug effects
Magnetite Nanoparticles
Semen Analysis / veterinary
Semen Preservation / veterinary
Semen Preservation / methods

Grant Funding

PID2020-116090RB-I00 / Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
FPU23/03472 / Ministerio de Universidades

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 15 references

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