Increased cortisol release and transport stress do not influence semen quality and testosterone release in pony stallions.
Abstract: The use of breeding stallions for equestrian competitions requires that fertility is not negatively affected by competition or transport to the competition site. In this study, effects of cortisol release induced by road transport (600 km), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) administration (3 × 0.5 mg synthetic ACTH) and placebo treatment on semen quality and testosterone release were investigated in Shetland stallions (N = 13) using a crossover design. Saliva for cortisol and blood for testosterone analysis were collected for 10 weeks after treatments. Semen was collected daily for 5 days directly after treatments and twice weekly for another 9 weeks. Total sperm count, sperm morphology, motility, and membrane integrity were analyzed. We hypothesized that elevated cortisol decreases testosterone concentration and semen quality. Cortisol concentrations increased in response to transport and ACTH (P < 0.001) but not control treatments (peak concentration, transport: 7.6 ± 2.4, ACTH: 13.7 ± 1.5, control: 3.8 ± 0.9 ng/mL). No treatment effects on testosterone existed. Total sperm count decreased with daily semen collections in week 1 (P < 0.01) but did not differ between the treatments. The percentage of motile, progressively motile, membrane-intact, and morphologically defective spermatozoa did not change over time from Days 2 to 6, and there existed no differences between the treatments. In conclusion, road transport evoked a stress response which was mimicked by ACTH treatment. Both treatments had no effect on testosterone release and semen quality. Testicular function in stallions is apparently well protected against transiently elevated cortisol concentrations, and stallions can be transported over longer distances without negatively affecting their fertility.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-02-19 PubMed ID: 25794840DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.02.015Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The article investigates the effect of stress, as measured by cortisol release, on the semen quality and testosterone release in pony stallions. Despite the increase in cortisol levels during transportation, the study found no negative effect on the stallions’ fertility.
Introduction
The study aimed to determine if stress, as evidenced by increased cortisol release due to transport, affects the fertility of breeding pony stallions used in equestrian competitions. This query arose due to the need to ensure that competition and transport to the competitions do not negatively impact the fertility of the stallions.
Methodology
- The experiment was designed with the use of Shetland stallions numbering 13.
- The effects of cortisol release induced by transportation were investigated using a 600 km road trip, a synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) treatment, and a control place in a crossover design.
- Saliva samples were collected for cortisol analysis, while blood samples were collected for testosterone analysis.
- Semen samples were collected daily for 5 days after treatments and twice weekly for another 9 weeks.
- The team evaluated the total sperm count, sperm morphology, motility, and membrane integrity.
Hypothesis
The researchers hypothesized that increased cortisol levels might lead to a decrease in testosterone concentration and a decline in semen quality.
Results
- Cortisol levels increased significantly in response to transport and ACTH treatment but not to control treatments.
- However, despite these elevations, no alterations were observed in testosterone levels.
- The total sperm count did decrease with daily semen collections in the first week but showed no significant difference between treatments.
- There were no observed changes over time in the percentage of motile, progressively motile, membrane-intact, and morphologically defective spermatozoa from day 2 to day 6, and no differences were found between the treatments.
Conclusion
The study found that though road transportation induces a stress response mimicked by ACTH treatment, these stressors do not significantly impact testosterone release and semen quality. As such, testicular function in stallions seems to be adequately protected against transiently elevated cortisol concentrations. This suggests that stallions can be transported over longer distances without a negative impact on their fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Deichsel K, Pasing S, Erber R, Ille N, Palme R, Aurich J, Aurich C.
(2015).
Increased cortisol release and transport stress do not influence semen quality and testosterone release in pony stallions.
Theriogenology, 84(1), 70-75.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.02.015 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Obstetrics and Reproduction, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: katharina.deichsel@vetmeduni.ac.at.
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute for Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
- Division of Obstetrics and Reproduction, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / metabolism
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Male
- Semen Analysis / veterinary
- Sperm Count / veterinary
- Stress, Physiological
- Testosterone / blood
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Ahmed O, Lehloenya K, Mphaphathi M, Hassen A. Effect of Acacia mearnsii Tannin Extract Supplementation on Reproductive Performance and Oxidative Status of South African Mutton Merino Rams. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 15;11(11).
- Mohamed RH, Abo El-Maaty AM, Abd El Hameed AR, Ali AH. Impact of travel by walk and road on testicular hormones, oxidants, traces minerals, and acute phase response biomarkers of dromedary camels. Heliyon 2021 Apr;7(4):e06879.
- Aurich J, Kuhl J, Tichy A, Aurich C. Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 13;10(6).
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