Influence of vedaprofen (Quadrisol) on quality and freezability of stallion semen.

The research study investigates the impact of the NSAID vedaprofen (Quadrisol) on the quality and freeze tolerance of stallion semen. The findings revealed that while vedaprofen didn’t affect the blood plasma concentration of PG-metabolite, it markedly inhibited both PGF and PGE concentrations in seminal plasma. However, all quality parameters in fresh and frozen-thawed semen were unaffected by vedaprofen treatment.

Study Design and Methodology

• The study involved 22 Franches Montagnes stallions from the National Stud in Avenches, Switzerland, which were split into a control group and a test group randomly.
• The test group was given vedaprofen orally at the recommended therapeutic dose for 14 days, whereas the control group received an equivalent amount of carrier substance.
• Throughout this two-week therapeutic phase, blood samples were collected from five stallions in both groups for the determination of PG-metabolite.
• In addition, semen samples from all stallions were taken and preserved by cryopreservation on a weekly basis over a 14 week period from September to December.

Measurements and Evaluations

• The research team tracked concentrations of PG-metabolite, PGF, and PGE in the collected ejaculate’s seminal plasma two weeks before, during, and two weeks after the treatment.
• Quality indicators such as volume, concentration, motility, and the count of normal sperm and sperm with major defects were assessed in fresh semen samples.
• Similarly, the researchers conducted a motility test as well as a viability test in frozen-thawed semen samples, alongside the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOS).

Findings and Conclusions

• The study found that Vedaprofen did not affect the concentration of PG-metabolite in the blood plasma, but notably inhibited both PGF and PGE concentrations in the seminal plasma.
• Interestingly, all quality parameters in fresh and frozen-thawed semen appeared unaffected by the vedaprofen treatment.
• However, the timing of semen collection significantly influenced motility as well as the count of normal sperm and sperm with nuclear vacuoles in fresh semen.