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Home / Equine Research Bank / Theriogenology / Relationship between sperm motility, morphology and the fert...
Theriogenology2011; 76(3); 547-557; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.03.007

Relationship between sperm motility, morphology and the fertility of stallions.

Abstract: Sperm quality has an important role in determining fertility. Although there have been numerous studies to document the relationship between sperm quality and fertility, the methods of determining this association and conclusions vary. In the present study, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used for evaluation of sperm motility, and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy was used for evaluating sperm morphologic features of breeding stallions. Fertility was measured using three endpoints: seasonal pregnancy rate (PR), percent pregnant/cycle (PC), and percent pregnant/first cycle (FCP). Increased total sperm motility (P = 0.08) and progressive path velocity (P = 0.06) tended to be associated with higher PR, whereas percent coiled tails (P = 0.02) was associated with a lower PR. Sperm motility variables associated with an increase in PC and FCP included total, progressive, and rapid sperm motility, and increased path and progressive velocity. Percent pregnant/first cycle was the only fertility measure able to discriminate among high, average, and low fertility groups, based on total and progressive sperm motility. Percent normal sperm was the only morphology variable associated with an increased PC and FCP, whereas increased levels of most sperm morphologic abnormalities (including abnormal and detached heads, proximal and distal droplets, general midpiece abnormality, and coiled tails) were associated with a decline in PC and FCP. Sperm quality variables most highly correlated with fertility included percent total sperm motility (PR, r = 0.37, P < 0.05; PC, r = 0.59, P < 0.05; and FCP, r = 0.64, P < 0.05), and percent morphologically normal sperm (PC, r = 0.42, P < 0.05; and FCP, r = 0.39, P < 0.05).
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2011-04-16 PubMed ID: 21497893DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.03.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses the connection between the quality of sperm, in terms of their motility and morphology, and the fertility of stallions. The study has found significant correlations between these sperm characteristics and fertility rates.

Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) and Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy

  • The research utilized two scientific techniques: Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) for inspecting sperm motility and Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy for evaluating sperm morphologic features.
  • These methods allowed for a consistent and precise assessment of sperm quality.

Fertility Assessment Metrics

  • Fertility was measured on three fronts: seasonal pregnancy rate (PR), percent of mares pregnant per cycle (PC), and percent of mares pregnant after the first insemination cycle (FCP).

Correlation between Sperm Motility, Morphology, and Stallion Fertility

  • An increase in total sperm motility and progressive path velocity seemed to correlate with higher seasonal pregnancy rate.
  • On the other hand, having a larger percentage of sperm with coiled tails led to a lower seasonal pregnancy rate.
  • For PC and FCP, total, progressive, and rapid sperm motility were determinant factors. Additionally, higher path and progressive velocity were beneficial.
  • Percent normal sperm (i.e. sperm without deformities) was the only morphology variable that influenced an increase in PC and FCP.

Fertility Group Determination

  • The measure of percent mares pregnant after the first insemination cycle was the only fertility measure that could effectively distinguish between high, average, and low fertility groups based on total and progressive sperm motility.

Negative Impact of Morphologic Abnormalities

  • In contrast, most sperm morphologic abnormalities (abnormal and detached heads, proximal and distal droplets, general midpiece abnormality, and coiled tails) were associated with a decline in PC and FCP.
  • Thus, the results highlight the importance of both motility and morphology in classifying sperm quality and, therefore, predicting fertility rates in stallions.

Sperm Quality Variables Highly Correlated with Fertility

  • The sperm quality variables that showed the highest correlation with fertility included total sperm motility and percent morphologically normal sperm.

Cite This Article

APA
Love CC. (2011). Relationship between sperm motility, morphology and the fertility of stallions. Theriogenology, 76(3), 547-557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.03.007

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 1879-3231
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 76
Issue: 3
Pages: 547-557

Researcher Affiliations

Love, C C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA. clove@cvm.tamu.edu

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Horses / physiology
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa / cytology

Citations

This article has been cited 26 times.
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