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Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 669423; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.669423

Pharmacologically Induced Ex Copula Ejaculation in Horses and Donkeys.

Abstract: Pharmacologically induced ex copula ejaculation is a method used for collection of semen when the traditional methods of semen collection are not feasible. Common indications for this method include health issues that either preclude the physical act of mating or result in impaired erection and ejaculation. The method also offers an alternative when there is a lack of equipment and facilities required for semen collection using the conventional artificial vagina method. A variety of pharmacological protocols for ex copula ejaculation in stallions have been evaluated in both research and clinical settings with no serious side-effects reported. In general, these protocols included tricyclic antidepressants, alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, and smooth muscle stimulators, either individually or in combination. Although there is a lot of variation in the ejaculatory rates among studies, a combination of imipramine and xylazine appears to be an effective option for inducing ejaculation in stallions. In cases where this protocol is not successful, collections should be reattempted using a combination of imipramine, detomidine, and oxytocin. Regardless of the protocol used, a quiet environment with minimal disturbance is associated with a better outcome. In contrast to the body of literature available on pharmacologically induced ex copula ejaculation in horses, only a few studies have been published so far on this topic in donkeys. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether pharmacologically induced ex copula ejaculation is an effective method of semen collection in jacks and to compare different pharmacological protocols for inducing ejaculation in jacks.
Copyright © 2021 Khanam, Swelum and Khan.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-01 PubMed ID: 34926631PubMed Central: PMC8671296DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.669423Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper is an analysis of the used methods and efficacy of pharmacologically induced ejaculation as an alternative technique for semen collection in stallions and donkeys, particularly when traditional methods are not practical.

Overview

The paper assesses pharmacologically induced ex copula ejaculation – a technique that is used to accumulate semen when customary semen collection methods are not feasible. The reasons could be varied – health problems that preclude the physical act of mating, impaired erection and ejaculation, or inadequate facilities and equipment for using the conventional artificial vagina method of semen accumulation.

Method Evaluation

  • Various pharmacological protocols for inducing ex copula ejaculation in stallions have been evaluated both in research and clinics. Notably, there have been no significant side effects reported so far.
  • These protocols usually include tricyclic antidepressants, alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, and smooth muscle stimulators, either used in a single or combined form.
  • There have been variations reported amongst different studies in terms of ejaculatory rates. A combination of imipramine and xylazine appears to be an effective means for inducing ejaculation in stallions.
  • If the above protocol does not prove effective, then the paper suggests to make reattempted collection using a combination of imipramine, detomidine, and oxytocin.

Environmental Influence

Regardless of the protocol used, researchers found that a quiet environment with minimum disturbance proved beneficial for a successful outcome.

Application to Donkeys

The article also draws attention to the stark difference in the volume of research between horses and donkeys. While there’s a plethora of studies available on pharmacologically induced ex copula ejaculation in horses, surprisingly few studies have investigated this method in donkeys, indicating a need for further research in this area.

Conclusion

The paper concludes by acknowledging the need to explore whether pharmacologically induced ex copula ejaculation is a useful method for semen collection in jacks and to compare the different pharmacological protocols for inducing ejaculation in jacks.

Cite This Article

APA
Khanam A, Swelum AA, Khan FA. (2021). Pharmacologically Induced Ex Copula Ejaculation in Horses and Donkeys. Front Vet Sci, 8, 669423. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.669423

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 669423

Researcher Affiliations

Khanam, Afroza
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada.
Swelum, Ayman A
  • Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
  • Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Khan, Firdous A
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, True Blue, Grenada.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Rich J, Orbach DN. Artificial vagina conformation and composition for semen collection. Reprod Fertil 2025 Oct 1;6(4).
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  2. Li Y, Hua Y, Xiang Z, Xu X, Zhang S, Wang X, An F, Ren Z, Wang K. Sperm collection and characteristics analysis of the critically endangered Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). Conserv Physiol 2024;12(1):coae010.
    doi: 10.1093/conphys/coae010pubmed: 38957843google scholar: lookup
  3. Egyptien S, Deleuze S, Ledeck J, Ponthier J. Sperm Quality Assessment in Stallions: How to Choose Relevant Assays to Answer Clinical Questions. Animals (Basel) 2023 Oct 6;13(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13193123pubmed: 37835729google scholar: lookup
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