Predicting the outcome of Thoroughbred stallion matings on the basis of dismount semen sample analyses.
Abstract: A capacity to predict the likelihood of pregnancy following natural matings would be of considerable benefit to the Thoroughbred horse breeding industry. In this article, we describe a strategy for achieving this outcome through the analysis of dismount samples, that achieved an overall accuracy of 94.6%. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the analysis of dismount semen samples from Thoroughbred stallions could be used to predict whether a given mating would result in a pregnancy. The analysis was based on 143 matings of 141 mares by a cohort of 7 Thoroughbred stallions over a 4-week period at an Australian Stud. The criteria of semen quality utilized in this analysis involved a preliminary assessment of the raw dismount sample in terms of semen volume, sperm number, and sperm movement characteristics using an iSperm® Equine portable device. Following this initial assessment, a subpopulation of progressively motile spermatozoa was isolated by virtue of the cells ability to migrate across a 5 µm polycarbonate filter in a Samson™ isolation chamber over a 15-minute period. These isolated cells were again evaluated for their number and quality of movement using the iSperm® system and, in addition, assessed for their ability to reduce WST-1, a membrane impermeant tetrazolium salt. These data were then combined with additional information describing the ages of the animals used in this study, their historical breeding records, and mating frequency during the breeding season. The total data set was then used to predict the occurrence of pregnancy, as confirmed by ultrasound at ~14 days post mating. The criteria used to predict fertility in the ensuing multivariate discriminant analysis were optimized for each individual stallion. Using this strategy, we were able to successfully predict the outcome of a cover with an overall accuracy of 94.6%.
Publication Date: 2023-01-18 PubMed ID: 36538652PubMed Central: PMC9874971DOI: 10.1530/REP-22-0309Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research describes a predictive model for determining the likelihood of pregnancy after natural mating of Thoroughbred horses using an analysis of dismount semen samples, boasting an impressive 94.6% accuracy rate.
Study Overview
- The aim of this research was to explore if reviewing dismount semen samples from Thoroughbred stallions could predict if a specific mating would lead to a pregnancy.
- The basis of the study involved 143 matings of 141 mares by 7 Thoroughbred stallions over a 4-week period at an Australian Stud.
Semen Analysis
- Initial semen analysis was performed using the iSperm® Equine portable device, looking at semen volume, sperm quantity, and sperm movement.
- A separate subpopulation of progressively motile spermatozoa were isolated using Samson™ isolation chamber. These cells could move across a 5 µm polycarbonate filter in a 15-minute timeframe.
- The isolated cells were again assessed for quantity and quality of movement using the iSperm® system. Here, the researchers also tested the cells’ capacity to reduce WST-1, a membrane impermeant tetrazolium salt.
Additional Data Collation
- The researchers combined the semen analysis data with additional data about the horses such as their ages, historical breeding records, and the frequency of mating during the breeding season.
Outcome Predictions
- Pregnancy occurrence was predicted based on ultrasound confirmation at roughly 14 days post mating.
- The criteria used to predict fertility in the multivariate discriminant analysis were tailored for each individual stallion.
- Ultimately, the researchers managed to predict the outcome of a cover (term used for mating in horses) with an overall accuracy of 94.6% using this method.
Cite This Article
APA
Aitken RJ, Lambourne S, Medica AJ.
(2023).
Predicting the outcome of Thoroughbred stallion matings on the basis of dismount semen sample analyses.
Reproduction, 165(3), 281-288.
https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-22-0309 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Pregnancy
- Horses
- Animals
- Male
- Female
- Semen Analysis / veterinary
- Semen
- Australia
- Reproduction
- Spermatozoa
- Fertility
- Sperm Motility
- Semen Preservation
References
This article includes 14 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Medica AJ, Lambourne S, Aitken RJ. Predicting the Outcome of Equine Artificial Inseminations Using Chilled Semen.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 30;13(7).
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