From clinic to lab: Sperm parameters for equine in vitro embryo production.
Abstract: Equine in vitro embryo production (IVP) offers a valuable opportunity to enhance the efficient utilization of genetically and economically valuable horses. In cases of subfertility, sudden death, emergency euthanasia, or limited sperm availability, IVP becomes the only viable option to produce offspring. Due to steadily improving success rates, IVP has become one of the most sought-after assisted reproductive techniques. The rising global demand has created a clear need for veterinarians and stallion owners to provide IVP-suitable sperm, where the selection of intact sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) is critical for fertilization and optimal embryo development. Achieving this demand requires careful consideration of animal selection, sperm processing, and sperm selection techniques, linking the day-to-day clinical practice with laboratory requirements. In this review, we summarize research on stallion and sperm parameters relevant to IVP, aiming to provide practical guidance for improving in vitro reproductive outcomes.
Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025-11-20 PubMed ID: 41274427DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105738Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
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
- The research focuses on improving the use of horse sperm for in vitro embryo production (IVP), which helps produce offspring even when natural breeding is not possible.
- It emphasizes the importance of selecting the best sperm and the processes involved from clinical collection to laboratory use to enhance fertility outcomes.
Introduction to Equine In Vitro Embryo Production (IVP)
- IVP is a reproductive technology that enables the production of horse embryos in a laboratory setting rather than by natural mating.
- This technique is crucial for valuable horses that are genetically or economically important, especially when natural breeding is challenging or impossible.
- Scenarios making IVP essential include cases of subfertility, sudden death of a stallion, emergency euthanasia, or when only limited sperm is available.
Significance of IVP in Equine Reproduction
- IVP success rates have been improving steadily, making it one of the most popular assisted reproductive methods in horses.
- The global demand for IVP is increasing, requiring veterinarians and stallion owners to provide sperm that meets laboratory standards for embryo production.
- Proper sperm selection is vital to maximize fertilization rates and ensure healthy embryo development.
Critical Aspects of Sperm Parameters and Processing
- Animal selection: Choosing the appropriate stallions, considering their fertility status and health, affects the quality and suitability of sperm for IVP.
- Sperm processing: Methods to prepare and preserve sperm for laboratory use impact sperm viability and function.
- Sperm selection techniques: Selecting intact and functionally competent sperm is essential, especially for procedures like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Linking clinical collection techniques with laboratory requirements ensures that sperm quality is maintained throughout the process.
Techniques in Sperm Selection
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): Involves directly injecting a single sperm into an egg, requiring highly selected, morphologically normal sperm.
- Conventional IVF: Requires sperm that can effectively fertilize eggs under lab conditions, emphasizing motility and membrane integrity.
Practical Guidance for Improving IVP Outcomes
- The review consolidates research findings related to stallion fertility and sperm characteristics crucial for IVP.
- It offers practical advice to optimize sperm collection, handling, and selection to boost fertilization success.
- Veterinarians can better align their clinical practices with laboratory needs by understanding the relevant parameters affecting sperm quality.
- Improved collaboration between clinical and lab settings helps meet rising demands and improves reproductive efficiency in equine breeding programs.
Cite This Article
APA
Martin-Pelaez S, Orsolini M, Verstraete M, de la Fuente A, Takahashi K, Meyers S, Dini P.
(2025).
From clinic to lab: Sperm parameters for equine in vitro embryo production.
J Equine Vet Sci, 156, 105738.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105738 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Departments of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA. USA.
- Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Departments of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA. USA.
- Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Departments of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA. USA; Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke. Belgium.
- Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Departments of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA. USA.
- Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Departments of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA. USA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA. USA.
- Veterinary Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Departments of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA. USA. Electronic address: pdini@ucdavis.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / embryology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Spermatozoa / physiology
- Fertilization in Vitro / veterinary
- Female
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
