Relationship between the fertility of fresh and frozen stallion semen and semen quality.
Abstract: Studies were designed to investigate whether sperm motility determined with a Hamilton-Thorn HTM-2000 motility analyzer (HTM), or the percentage of spermatozoa that passed through glass wool (GW), Sephadex (S), or glass wool/Sephadex (GWS) filters could be used to predict the fertilizing potential of fresh or frozen semen. In the fresh semen study, 10 randomly selected ejaculates from 4 stallions exclusively used for A.I. breeding were assayed during the season. The 521 mares used were inseminated with 500 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa after gynaecological examination every 2 days. In the frozen semen study, 32 ejaculates from 9 stallions were frozen and inseminated into 177 clinically and ultrasonographically normal mares within 12 h of ovulation with 10(9) spermatozoa, regardless of quality. In the fresh semen study, first cycle pregnancies ranged from 25-69% (average 50%) and differed among stallions (P less than 0.05), as did GWS, S, motile spermatozoa (MOT), mean progressive motility (MPV) and lateral head displacement (LHD) (P less than 0.001). GW and GWS filters, but not MOT, ranked the stallions according to fertility. The highest correlations were found between first cycle fertility and GWS (r = 0.86) and between that and MOT (r = 0.80). In the frozen semen study, first cycle and season pregnancy rates among the stallions were 32-70% (average 50%) and 60-90%, respectively. Significant correlations were obtained between the pregnancy rate per cycle and GWS (r = 0.93) and S (r = 0.84), but not between fertility and motility parameters.
Publication Date: 1991-01-01 PubMed ID: 1795253 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
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research investigates whether sperm motility and percentage of spermatozoa that passed through specific filters can predict the fertility of fresh or frozen horse semen. Results indicated that certain filters, but not sperm motility, could correctly categorize the stallions according to fertility. The strongest correlation was observed between first cycle fertility and the combination of glass wool/Sephadex filter.
Objective of the Research
- The study was conducted to determine whether sperm motility, analyzed by a specific motility analyzer, or the percentage of spermatozoa passing through certain filters could be effective in predicting the fertilizing capacity of fresh and frozen stallion semen.
Methodology and Analysis
- In the investigation of fresh semen, selected ejaculates from four stallions used solely for artificial insemination were examined throughout the breeding season.
- The 521 mares were inseminated every two days following a gynaecological examination with 500 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa.
- In the frozen semen study, ejaculates from nine stallions were frozen and subsequently used for insemination of 177 mares within 12 hours of ovulation.
- The stallions’ fertility was compared, noting variations in first cycle pregnancies, and the percentage of spermatozoa that passed through different filters.
Findings and Conclusions
- In the fresh semen study, the first cycle pregnancies ranged from 25%-69%, demonstrating significant variations among the stallions.
- The highest correlations were found between first cycle fertility and glass wool/Sephadex filter (0.86), and motile spermatozoa (0.80).
- In the frozen semen study, first cycle and season pregnancy rates were also variable among the stallions, with pregnancy rates ranging from 32%-70% and 60%-90% respectively.
- Significant correlations were noted between pregnancy rate per cycle and glass wool/Sephadex filter (0.93), as well as the Sephadex filter (0.84). However, no significant correlation was found relative to fertility and motility parameters.
- The research concluded that specific filters, but not motility, could effectively rank the stallions relative to fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Samper JC, Hellander JC, Crabo BG.
(1991).
Relationship between the fertility of fresh and frozen stallion semen and semen quality.
J Reprod Fertil Suppl, 44, 107-114.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Fertility / physiology
- Filtration
- Horses / physiology
- Insemination, Artificial
- Male
- Semen / physiology
- Semen Preservation
- Sperm Motility
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Dziekońska A, Szczepańska A, Wysokińska A. Effect of Season on the Characteristics of Warmblood Stallion Spermatozoa Stored in a Liquid State at 5 °C. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 3;15(7).
- Nguyen HT, Do SQ, Athurupana R, Wakai T, Funahashi H. Rapid thawing of frozen bull spermatozoa by transient exposure to 70 °C improves the viability, motility and mitochondrial health. Anim Reprod 2023;20(3):e20220127.
- Egyptien S, Dewals B, Ectors F, Brutinel F, Ponthier J, Deleuze S. Validation of Calcein Violet as a New Marker of Semen Membrane Integrity in Domestic Animals. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 4;13(11).
- Tanga BM, Qamar AY, Raza S, Bang S, Fang X, Yoon K, Cho J. Semen evaluation: methodological advancements in sperm quality-specific fertility assessment - A review. Anim Biosci 2021 Aug;34(8):1253-1270.
- Duguma A, Lemma A, Hibste A. Effect of breed and other animal-related factors on conception rate to artificial insemination with frozen semen in mares in Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019 Jun;51(5):1173-1178.
- Katila T. In vitro evaluation of frozen-thawed stallion semen: a review. Acta Vet Scand 2001;42(2):199-217.
- Grøndahl C, Grøndahl ML, Hyttel P, Greve T. Acrosomal status in fresh and frozen/thawed stallion spermatozoa evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Anat Embryol (Berl) 1994 Aug;190(2):195-200.
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