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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2008; 50(1); 41; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-50-41

Morphology and head morphometric characters of sperm in Thai native crossbred stallions.

Abstract: One of the semen quality parameters use to determine fertility is the percentage of sperm that express normal morphology. Sperm head morphometry is also correlated with fertility. The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the sperm morphology and normal sperm head morphometry of Thai native crossbred stallions, and 2) to compare our results with the characteristics of proven fertile sperm from purebred stallions. Methods: Semen samples were collected monthly from nine stallions, of which five were Thai native crossbred (T) and four were purebred of proven fertility (F: F1 was a Standard-bred; F2 was a Warm-blood; F3 and F4 were Thoroughbreds). All the animals were aged between 5 and 12 years. Sperm morphological examination was performed using formaldehyde-fixed samples under phase-contrast microscopy (1000x). Normal sperm head morphometry characteristics were measured by Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis (Hamilton Thorne, USA.) after applying the Harris' haematoxylin staining technique. Results: The percentages of morphologically normal and abnormal sperm varied among individual stallions in both the T and F groups. The mean percentage of morphologically normal sperm was not significantly different (P > 0.05) between T and F stallions (mean +/- SE, 49.7 +/- 1.3 and 48.1 +/- 2.8, respectively). A comparison between the T and F sperm heads revealed that all the dimensional parameters were significantly different (P < 0.05). The coefficients of within-animal variation (CVs) ranged from 2.6 (shape factor 1) to 7.5 (elongation) and 2.9 (shape factor 1) to 8.1 (elongation) in T and F, respectively. In the case of the T group, those sperm head parameters that featured a low within-animal CV and a high between-animal CV were perimeter (2.9, 19.1), shape factor 1 (2.6, 25.8) and shape factor 3 (3.8, 32.0). In the case of the F group, only shape factor 1 (2.9, 26.1) featured such characteristics. Conclusions: We found variability in the percentage of morphologically normal and abnormal sperm, as well as in sperm head dimensions among Thai native crossbred stallions, and these results were similar to those of purebred stallions. Our findings demonstrate that the heads of the T sperm specimens were larger and rounder than that of the F sperm. Perimeter, shape factor 1 and shape factor 3 could be used as parameters for the identification of individual T stallions based on a sperm sample.
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Publication Date: 2008-10-22 PubMed ID: 18940014PubMed Central: PMC2586630DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-50-41Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research explores the semen quality of Thai native crossbred stallions, specifically looking at sperm morphology and head morphometry, and compares them to the semen of proven fertile purebred stallions. The study found variations in morphology and head dimensions amongst the crossbred and purebred stallions, but demonstrated that certain sperm head parameters could be used as a way to identify individual crossbred stallions based on a sperm sample.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The study’s core objectives were to examine the sperm morphology and normal sperm head morphometry of Thai native crossbred stallions, and to compare these characteristics to fertile sperm from purebred stallions.
  • The researchers used semen samples collected on a monthly basis from nine stallions, five of which were Thai native crossbred (T) and four were purebreds of proven fertility (F).
  • The stallions chosen for the study ranged in age from 5 to 12 years.
  • Sperm morphology was investigated using formaldehyde-fixed samples and phase-contrast microscopy. Sperm head morphometry, on the other hand, was measured using Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis after staining with Harris’ haematoxylin.

Results of the Study

  • The study noted variability in the percentages of morphologically normal and abnormal sperm amongst both the crossbred (T) and purebred (F) stallions.
  • The mean percentage of morphologically normal sperm were not significantly different between the T and F groups, which were 49.7% and 48.1% respectively.
  • However, the research did highlight significant differences in dimensional parameters of sperm heads between the two groups.
  • The variation within the animal’s sperm head morphometry – called the coefficient of variation (CV) – ranged between 2.6 (shape factor 1) and 7.5 (elongation) in the crossbred T group, and between 2.9 (shape factor 1) to 8.1 (elongation) in the purebred F group.
  • In the crossbred T group, parameters with a low within-animal CV and a high between-animal CV were perimeter (2.9, 19.1), shape factor 1 (2.6, 25.8) and shape factor 3 (3.8, 32.0). In the purebred F group, only shape factor 1 (2.9, 26.1) featured such characteristics.

Conclusions

  • The results indicate comparable variability in morphologically normal and abnormal sperm and in sperm head dimensions between the Thai native crossbred stallions and purebred stallions.
  • The study revealed that the crossbred stallions’ sperm heads were larger and rounder than their purebred counterparts.
  • Perimeter, shape factor 1 and shape factor 3 could be potentially used as measuring parameters for identifying individual crossbred stallions based on a sperm sample.

Cite This Article

APA
Phetudomsinsuk K, Sirinarumitr K, Laikul A, Pinyopummin A. (2008). Morphology and head morphometric characters of sperm in Thai native crossbred stallions. Acta Vet Scand, 50(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-50-41

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 41

Researcher Affiliations

Phetudomsinsuk, Kanittha
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. fvetktp@ku.ac.th
Sirinarumitr, Kaitkanoke
    Laikul, Aree
      Pinyopummin, Anuchai

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Fertility / physiology
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / veterinary
        • Sperm Head / ultrastructure

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