Seasonal changes of semen quality and freezability in Franches-Montagnes stallions.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate seasonal changes of semen quality parameters in Franches-Montagnes stallions and to compare the freezability of ejaculates collected in autumn and winter. Experiments were performed using 15 stallions from the National Stud Farm in Avenches (Switzerland). Ejaculates were collected and evaluated every month during 1 year as well as cryopreserved in autumn and winter (September to February). In fresh semen the gel-free volume, concentration, motility and morphology (normal sperm, major defects, vacuoles and acrosome defects) were evaluated and in frozen-thawed semen the motility as well as the viability (SYBR-14/PI) were performed. To analyse seasonal differences four periods of 3 months each were defined as autumn (September, October, November), winter (December, January, February), spring (March, April, May) and summer (June, July, August). During the 1-year experiment all fresh semen quality parameters demonstrated a clear seasonal and individual pattern. The gel-free volume was significantly (P<0.05) higher in spring and summer compared to autumn and winter while sperm concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in spring than at any other time of the year. Total sperm number was significantly (P<0.05) higher and sperm motility significantly (P<0.05) lower in summer than in other seasons. Regarding sperm morphology, normal sperm was significantly (P<0.05) higher in autumn than in winter and summer and major defects were lowest (P<0.05) in autumn. In frozen-thawed semen motility was significantly (P<0.05) improved in the ejaculates collected in autumn compared to winter, while viability showed no obvious differences. Our results clearly demonstrate that individual and seasonal differences occurred in semen quality of Franches-Montagnes stallions. Ejaculates collected in autumn (September, October, November) demonstrated good quality, especially regarding sperm morphology, and were more suitable for cryopreservation because of better motility in frozen-thawed semen collected during autumn than in winter.
Publication Date: 2003-04-16 PubMed ID: 12695055DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(03)00039-3Google 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.
- Comparative Study
- 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.
This study examines seasonal variations in semen quality in Franches-Montagnes stallions, observing notable differences, particularly between autumn and winter. This research highlights the need to account for seasonal changes when evaluating semen quality and cryopreservation efficiency in these horses.
Research Objectives
- The purpose of this study was to understand the seasonal changes in semen quality parameters in the Franches-Montagnes stallions, particularly focusing on the difference in freezability (ability to preserve frozen semen without deteriorating its quality) between autumn and winter ejaculates.
- The experiments were conducted on 15 stallions at the National Stud Farm in Avenches, Switzerland. The ejaculates were collected and studied over a period of one year, specially cryopreserved in the periods between September and February.
Findings and Methodology
- Different semen quality parameters such as gel-free volume, concentration, motility, and morphology were evaluated in fresh semen, while motility and viability were evaluated in frozen-thawed semen.
- To define and understand the seasonal differences, the researchers divided the year into four three-month periods: autumn (September, October, November), winter (December, January, February), spring (March, April, May), and summer (June, July, August).
- The researchers found that fresh semen quality parameters fluctuated throughout the year, showing both seasonal and individual patterns. In particular, they found that the gel-free volume was significantly higher in spring and summer compared to autumn and winter.
- Similarly, sperm concentration was significantly lower in spring, with the highest total sperm number and lowest sperm motility occurring in summer.
- The study also noted significant variations in sperm morphology across seasons, with the highest level of normal sperm counts in autumn. The number of major defects in sperm morphology was the lowest in autumn.
- When it came to frozen-thawed semen, motility was significantly improved in ejaculates collected during autumn compared to winter, with no obvious differences in viability.
Conclusion
- The research concluded that there are distinct seasonal and individual differences in Franches-Montagnes stallions’ semen quality. Everyday collected during autumn demonstrated good quality, especially in terms of sperm morphology.
- Semen collected during autumn also offered improved results during cryopreservation, owing to better sperm motility. This suggests the autumn season might be most suitable for semen collection and cryopreservation in Franches-Montagnes stallions.
Cite This Article
APA
Janett F, Thun R, Bettschen S, Burger D, Hassig M.
(2003).
Seasonal changes of semen quality and freezability in Franches-Montagnes stallions.
Anim Reprod Sci, 77(3-4), 213-221.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4320(03)00039-3 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic of Reproduction, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland. fjanett@vetclinics.unizh.ch
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cell Survival
- Cryopreservation
- Freezing
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Seasons
- Semen / physiology
- Semen Preservation
- Sperm Count
- Sperm Motility
- Spermatozoa / abnormalities
- Switzerland
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- 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).
- Mokhtassi-Bidgoli A, Sharafi M, Benson JD. Optimizing Bull Semen Cryopreservation Media Using Multivariate Statistics Approaches. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 17;13(6).
- Podico G, Spencer KM, Magalhaes HB, Canisso IF. Semen Quality of the First and Second Ejaculates Collected from Breeding Inactive Stallions after Cooling and Freezing. Vet Sci 2023 Feb 21;10(3).
- Gmel AI, Burger D, Neuditschko M. A Novel QTL and a Candidate Gene Are Associated with the Progressive Motility of Franches-Montagnes Stallion Spermatozoa after Thaw. Genes (Basel) 2021 Sep 25;12(10).
- Aurich J, Kuhl J, Tichy A, Aurich C. Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 13;10(6).
- Johannisson A, Al-Essawe EM, Al-Saffar AK, Karkehabadi S, Lima-Verde I, Wulf M, Aurich C, Morrell JM. Season does not have a deleterious effect on proportions of stallion seminal plasma proteins. J Reprod Dev 2020 Jun 12;66(3):215-221.
- Kandiel MMM, El Khawagah ARM. Evaluation of semen characteristics, oxidative stress, and biochemical indices in Arabian horses of different ages during the hot summer season. Iran J Vet Res 2018 Fall;19(4):270-275.
- Burger D, Dolivo G, Wedekind C. Ejaculate Characteristics Depend on Social Environment in the Horse (Equus caballus). PLoS One 2015;10(11):e0143185.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
