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Influence of repeated treadmill exercise on quality and freezability of stallion semen.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate changes of quality and freezability of stallion semen in response to repeated acute treadmill exercise. Ejaculates from 11 stallions were collected, evaluated and frozen weekly during four periods of 4 weeks each defined as before (period 1), during (period 2) and after (periods 3 and 4) intense exercise. In fresh semen the gel-free volume, sperm concentration, motility, normal sperm and sperm with major defects (acrosome defects, nuclear vacuoles, abnormal heads, midpiece defects and proximal droplets) were evaluated. In frozen-thawed semen, motility as well as viability (SYBR-14/PI) were examined. In period 2, all stallions were exercised on an indoor high speed treadmill twice a week (total of eight sessions) using an incremental workload test. Heart rate was monitored telemetrically during exercise and blood samples were taken for determination of cortisol, testosterone and lactate. Results of our investigation demonstrate that heart rate and the plasma concentrations of cortisol, testosterone and lactate significantly (P < 0.05) increased during each exercise session. Furthermore, significantly more major sperm defects were present in periods 3 (69.5+/-2.1%) and 4 (66.8+/-2.1%) than in periods 1 (62.2+/-2.4%) and 2 (62.5+/-2.2%). Acrosome defects increased towards the end of exercise but improved 3 weeks later to values observed before exercise. In frozen-thawed semen, motility was significantly lower in period 2 (45.4+/-2.3%) compared to period 4 (51.6+/-1.7%) and viability was significantly lower in period 2 (49.2+/-2.0%) than in periods 1 (53.8+/-2.1%) and 4 (53.7+/-1.6%). Our results clearly demonstrate that in the stallion repeated strenuous treadmill exercise can negatively influence semen quality and freezability.
Publication Date: 2005-10-24 PubMed ID: 16246408DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.09.017Google 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
Summary
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This research investigates how repeated intense treadmill exercise affects the quality and freezability of stallion semen. Using a sample of 11 stallions, the study found that such exercise results in a significant increase in major sperm defects and a decrease in sperm motility and viability.
The Study Setup
- The team undertook the examination of ejaculates from 11 stallions over four four-week periods. Each of these periods represented different exercise states; before exercise (period 1), during exercise (period 2), and two periods after exercise (periods 3 and 4).
- A range of characteristics were evaluated in each sample, such as the gel-free volume, sperm concentration, motility and any visible sperm defects. In the samples that were frozen then thawed, sperm motility and viability were inspected.
- During period 2, the stallions underwent high-speed treadmill exercise twice weekly. The intensity of this exercise gradually increased with each session.
- Heart rates were monitored in real-time and blood samples were taken to measure levels of cortisol, testosterone and lactate. Each of these measures saw significant increases over the exercise period.
Results of the Study
- Results highlighted a significant increase in major sperm defects during periods 3 (69.5+/-2.1%) and 4 (66.8+/-2.1%) compared to periods 1 (62.2+/-2.4%) and 2 (62.5+/-2.2%).
- Acrosome (a part of sperm linked to fertilization) defects also rose at the end of the exercise period, but these levels returned to pre-exercise state after three weeks.
- In the frozen-thawed semen samples, motility was significantly lower in period 2 (45.4+/-2.3%) than in period 4 (51.6+/-1.7%).
- Semen viability also decreased significantly in period 2 (49.2+/-2.0%) compared with periods 1 (53.8+/-2.1%) and 4 (53.7+/-1.6%).
Implications of the Study
- These findings collectively suggest that repeated strenuous exercise could have a negative impact on both the quality and freezability of stallion semen.
- The increased levels of cortisol, testosterone and lactate detected in the blood samples indicated physical stress during the exercise period, which may be a contributing factor to the observed sperm defects and lower motility and viability.
- This has potential implications for stallion breeders, as it suggests that consistent high-intensity workout might not be beneficial to stallion fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Janett F, Burkhardt C, Burger D, Imboden I, Hässig M, Thun R.
(2005).
Influence of repeated treadmill exercise on quality and freezability of stallion semen.
Theriogenology, 65(9), 1737-1749.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.09.017 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic of Reproduction, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland. fjanett@vetclinics.unizh.ch
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Heart Rate
- Horses / physiology
- Hydrocortisone / blood
- Lactic Acid / blood
- Male
- Physical Exertion / physiology
- Semen / physiology
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Sperm Motility
- Testosterone / blood
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Wilson M, Williams J, Montrose VT, Williams J. Variance in Stallion Semen Quality among Equestrian Sporting Disciplines and Competition Levels. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jul 25;9(8).
- Burger D, Dolivo G, Wedekind C. Ejaculate Characteristics Depend on Social Environment in the Horse (Equus caballus). PLoS One 2015;10(11):e0143185.
- Busechian S, Bindi F, Pieramati C, Orvieto S, Pisello L, Cozzi S, Ortolani F, Rueca F. Is There a Difference in the Prevalence of Gastric Ulcers between Stallions Used for Breeding and Those Not Used for Breeding?. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 22;14(11).
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