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Quality of stallion semen obtained by a new semen collection phantom (Equidame) versus a Missouri artificial vagina.
Abstract: A study was performed to test a new semen collection device (Equidame phantom) that fractionates the ejaculate by comparing the quality of semen obtained by the Equidame phantom with that obtained by a Missouri artificial vagina. Semen from 4 Finnhorse stallions was collected 4 times per stallion by both methods. Half of the ejaculate was frozen and the other half extended and loaded into 2 Equitainer transport containers (24- and 48-h samples). Motility parameters were determined by a Hamilton-Thorn motility analyzer after cooled storage for 24 and 48 h and again after freezing/thawing. Raw and chilled semen samples were cultured and the number of bacterial colonies counted after incubations of 24 and 48 h. After a 24-h incubation the number of colony-forming units (CFU) in raw semen was significantly higher (P<0.01) when collected by the Missouri artificial vagina than by the Equidame phantom. After cooled storage, 75% of the semen samples contained no bacteria after an incubation of 24 h, and 69% yielded no growth after 48 h. The sperm-rich fractions (Cup 2) collected by the Equidame phantom had lower mean volumes (22.1 +/- 2.3 mL [+/- SEM] versus 101.6 +/- 9.3 mL) and significantly higher mean sperm concentrations (218.0 +/- 25.8 x 10(6) vs 86.2 +/- 8.1 x 10(6) cells/mL; P<0.05) than the total ejaculates collected by the Missouri device. The total and progressive motility of chilled and frozen-thawed semen did not differ significantly between collection methods. The Equidame phantom yielded semen that was of a lower bacteriological colony counts, but had sperm motility similar to that of semen collected with the traditional method by the Missouri artificial vagina.
Publication Date: 2000-03-23 PubMed ID: 10729034DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(99)80019-3Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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.
The study evaluates a new device for collecting stallion semen, called the Equidame phantom, comparing its performance with a previously used gadget known as the Missouri artificial vagina. The results demonstrate that the Equidame phantom produces semen with fewer bacterial colonies and higher sperm concentrations, yet similar sperm motility as the Missouri device.
Methodology
- The research involved collecting semen samples from four Finnhorse stallions using each method four times.
- Each ejaculate was divided into two portions: one to be frozen and the other to be extended and stored in Equitainer transport containers for 24 and 48 hours.
- To evaluate the semen quality, motility parameters were determined through a Hamilton-Thorn motility analyzer after the samples had been stored, and after they were thawed from the frozen state.
- Additionally, raw and chilled semen samples were cultured to calculate the bacterial colonies present after 24 and 48-hour incubation periods.
Results
- The study found higher bacterial colonies in raw semen collected by Missouri artificial vagina compared to that collected by the Equidame phantom.
- After 24 hrs chilled storage, 75% of samples contained no bacteria, while 69% showed no growth after 48 hours.
- Compared to the total ejaculates collected by the Missouri device, the sperm-rich fractions gathered by the Equidame phantom exhibited lower volumes but significantly higher sperm concentrations.
- Both collection methods yielded similar results in terms of total and progressive motility of chilled and frozen-thawed semen.
Conclusion
- Despite lower volume samples, the Equidame phantom appears to yield better quality semen, in terms of bacterial presence and sperm concentration, than the traditional Missouri artificial vagina.
- The total and progressive sperm motility remained similar between both techniques, indicating the Equidame phantom’s effectiveness in maintaining semen’s essential characteristics for fertility purposes.
- Therefore, the Equidame phantom represents a promising alternative to the traditional Missouri artificial vagina for collecting stallion semen.
Cite This Article
APA
Lindeberg H, Karjalainen H, Koskinen E, Katila T.
(2000).
Quality of stallion semen obtained by a new semen collection phantom (Equidame) versus a Missouri artificial vagina.
Theriogenology, 51(6), 1157-1173.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(99)80019-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science/Animal Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Finland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Artificial Organs
- Ejaculation
- Female
- Horses
- Male
- Semen / physiology
- Specimen Handling / instrumentation
- Specimen Handling / methods
- Sperm Count
- Sperm Motility
- Vagina
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Al-Kass Z, Spergser J, Aurich C, Kuhl J, Schmidt K, Johannisson A, Morrell JM. Sperm Quality during Storage Is Not Affected by the Presence of Antibiotics in EquiPlus Semen Extender but Is Improved by Single Layer Centrifugation. Antibiotics (Basel) 2017 Dec 21;7(1).
- Rich J, Orbach DN. Artificial vagina conformation and composition for semen collection. Reprod Fertil 2025 Oct 1;6(4).
- Al-Kass Z, Morrell JM. Freezing Stallion Semen-What Do We Need to Focus on for the Future?. Vet Sci 2024 Feb 2;11(2).
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