Integration of future biotechnologies into the equine industry.
Abstract: There has and will continue to be reproductive techniques available that have a positive impact upon the equine breeding industry. This review focuses on semen technologies that have been developed or are in the process of being developed. The use of fluorescent dyes and flow cytometry has provided the researcher and clinician with powerful tools to evaluate several sperm attributes. These procedures have been utilized to evaluate sperm viability, acrosome status, mitochondrial status, DNA integrity and stages of capacitation. Flow cytometry allows several sperm attributes to be evaluated on thousands of spermatozoa in a matter of seconds. Development of procedures for insemination of mares with relatively small numbers of spermatozoa has the potential to change how stallions and their semen are managed. This review discusses the use of insemination of fresh, frozen and sex-sorted spermatozoa in relatively small numbers compared with conventional insemination technologies. The recent acceptance of frozen-thawed semen by many of the major breed registries has stimulated an increase in research on frozen semen. Many of the studies have focused on identifying damage during the freezing and thawing process. Numerous studies also have been conducted to modify freezing extenders so that the sperm are protected during the freezing and thawing process. The production of in vitro-produced embryos is extremely limited in the horse due to the failure of in vitro fertilization. However, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been used for the production of foals from stallions that have less than typical sperm numbers or from stallions that have died and a limited quantity of frozen semen is available. This technique has been used by several laboratories to produce embryos in vitro. The breeder and veterinarian now have access to techniques that allow assessment of semen quality, improvement of procedures for freezing and thawing and insemination of mares with fewer numbers of spermatozoa. It is likely that the next decade will also produce tremendous advances in semen technologies that can be utilized in the horse industry.
Publication Date: 2005-08-09 PubMed ID: 16084040DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.06.022Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article provides an overview of the future biotechnological integration in the equine industry, especially with regards to semen technologies to enhance reproductive techniques. It addresses the effect of these developments on sperm evaluation, freezing and thawing processes, as well as new insemination techniques like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Semen Technologies
- The article mentions the ongoing development and improvement of semen technologies which can enhance the equine reproduction process. These technologies involve the use of fluorescent dyes and flow cytometry.
- Detailed evaluation of sperm attributes such as viability, acrosome status, mitochondrial status, DNA integrity and stages of capacitation has been made possible with such technologies.
- These technologies allow quick analysis over thousands of spermatozoa in just seconds.
Insemination of Mares
- The research also talks about the advancements that enable insemination of mares with lesser numbers of spermatozoa. This has the potential to drastically transform the management of stallions and their semen.
- There is a comparison between the application of fresh, frozen, and sex-sorted spermatozoa in smaller amounts and conventional insemination technologies.
Freezing and Thawing Process
- Given the wider acceptance of using frozen-thawed semen by major breed registries, there is also an increase in research focused on identifying the damage occurring during the freezing and thawing process.
- Several studies have endeavored to modify freezing extenders that can effectively protect the sperm during this transitionary process.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
- Despite the fact that the production of embryos in vitro is quite limited in horses due to the failure of in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has proven to be a useful technique for foal production. This procedure is particularly useful in cases where less than typical sperm numbers are available or when the stallions have died.
- ICSI has successfully been used by several laboratories to produce embryos in vitro.
Future Advancements
- The article projects that the breeder and veterinarian are now facilitated with techniques not only for semen quality assessment but also improving methods for freezing and thawing, and inseminating mares with lesser quantity of sperm.
- The upcoming decade is expected to produce significant advancements in semen technologies that can greatly benefit the equine industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Squires EL.
(2005).
Integration of future biotechnologies into the equine industry.
Anim Reprod Sci, 89(1-4), 187-198.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.06.022 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Foothills Campus, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. esquires@colostate.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biotechnology
- Breeding
- Cryopreservation / methods
- Cryopreservation / trends
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Female
- Flow Cytometry / veterinary
- Horses
- Industry
- Insemination, Artificial / methods
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Male
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / trends
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary
- Spermatozoa
References
This article includes 38 references
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Gimeno BF, Bariani MV, Laiz-Quiroga L, Martínez-León E, Von-Meyeren M, Rey O, Mutto AÁ, Osycka-Salut CE. Effects of In Vitro Interactions of Oviduct Epithelial Cells with Frozen-Thawed Stallion Spermatozoa on Their Motility, Viability and Capacitation Status. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 3;11(1).
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