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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(6); doi: 10.3390/ani10061033

Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions.

Abstract: Differences in the cryotolerance of spermatozoa exist among stallions, but it remains to be determined to what extent such differences are affected by breed. In this study, post-thaw semen quality in stallions presented for semen cryopreservation was analysed retrospectively (1012 ejaculates from 134 stallions of 5 breeds). The percentage of frozen-thawed ejaculates acceptable for artificial insemination (AI) and the number of insemination doses per cryopreserved ejaculate was calculated. Logistic regression analysis revealed sperm motility in raw semen as the most important explanatory variable for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates with a post-thaw quality acceptable for AI. Of the other variables included into the model, stallion age was the most important parameter with more acceptable ejaculates in younger than in older stallions. Logistic regression also showed more acceptable frozen-thawed ejaculates in Arab stallions versus Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and Icelandic horses. The analysis thus demonstrates differences in the percentage of acceptable cryopreserved ejaculates among horse breeds. Season was a less relevant explanatory variable for percentage of acceptable cryopreserved ejaculates. Logistic regression revealed total sperm count as the most important variable determining the number of cryopreserved semen doses obtained per acceptable ejaculate. In conclusion, logistic regression analysis revealed stallion age and breed as explanatory variables for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates acceptable for AI.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-13 PubMed ID: 32545785PubMed Central: PMC7341245DOI: 10.3390/ani10061033Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study investigates the effect of breed and other factors on the efficiency of semen cryopreservation (freezing) in stallions, indicating that stallion age and breed can significantly impact the success rate of semen freezing and subsequent artificial insemination.

Objective and Method of the Study

  • The main aim of the research was to explore the potential differences in the cryotolerance (ability to withstand freezing) of sperm cells among various horse breeds.
  • To achieve this, the post-thaw quality of semen from 134 stallions of 5 different breeds was analyzed. A total of 1012 ejaculates were evaluated retrospectively.
  • The evaluation parameters included the percentage of successfully cryopreserved ejaculates acceptable for the use in artificial insemination (AI), and the number of insemination doses obtainable from each cryopreserved ejaculate.

Study Findings

  • The researchers found that the sperm motility in raw semen significantly influenced the post-thaw quality of the semen.
  • Data analysis using logistic regression revealed that stallion age was an important determinant for the success of the cryopreservation procedure, with younger stallions producing more acceptable ejaculates than older ones.
  • Regarding the differences attributed to breed, Arab stallions showed better results compared to Warmbloods, Quarter Horses, and Icelandic horses.
  • Interestingly, the season in which the semen collection and cryopreservation process took place had a lesser effect on the success rate of the preservation method.
  • Note that the total sperm count was a significant determinant of the number of cryopreserved semen doses that could be obtained from each acceptable ejaculate.

Conclusions from the Study

  • The study concluded that breed and age of the stallion are indeed important factors influencing the efficiency of semen cryopreservation.
  • The sperm motility in raw semen and the total sperm count in the ejaculate are also considerable determinants of the post-thaw quality and quantity of semen doses available for AI.

Cite This Article

APA
Aurich J, Kuhl J, Tichy A, Aurich C. (2020). Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions. Animals (Basel), 10(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10061033

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 6

Researcher Affiliations

Aurich, Jörg
  • Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Kuhl, Juliane
  • Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Tichy, Alexander
  • Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Department for Biomedical Science, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Aurich, Christine
  • Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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This article has been cited 23 times.
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