FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Arch Anim Breed / Seasonal variations in quantitative and qualitative sperm ch...
Archives animal breeding2020; 63(1); 145-154; doi: 10.5194/aab-63-145-2020

Seasonal variations in quantitative and qualitative sperm characteristics in fertile and subfertile stallions.

Abstract: Horses are seasonal breeders with a natural breeding season beginning in spring and extending through midsummer. In this study, quantitative and qualitative parameters of chilled stallion semen were compared between fertile and subfertile stallions and between the breeding and the non-breeding season. Semen quality parameters compared included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, sperm morphology, and computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA)-derived sperm movement characteristics obtained from two groups of warmblood stallions ( ; four fertile stallions and four subfertile stallions), which differ in the seasonal pregnancy rate 80 %-90 % (fertile) vs. 40 %-60 % (subfertile). A total of 64 ejaculates were collected from the stallions ( ; four in the breeding season and four in the non-breeding season of each stallion). No significant differences in the semen quality parameters between the fertile and the subfertile stallions in the non-breeding season were observed. However, in the breeding season the proportion of morphologically normal sperm, total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), and curvilinear velocity (VCL) were significantly higher in the fertile group ( ) when compared with the subfertile group. In addition, a significant seasonal variation in the proportion of morphological normal sperm was found in the fertile group between the breeding and the non-breeding season ( ). Moreover, significant seasonal variations ( ) in CASA parameters of mean VAP, straight line velocity (VSL), and beat-cross frequency (BCF) were observed in the fertile and the subfertile stallions, which tended to be lower in the non-breeding season. In conclusion, differences between the fertile and the subfertile stallions were observed only in the breeding season, and a few of CASA-derived parameters seemed to be significantly lower during the non-breeding season in both the fertile and the subfertile stallions.
Copyright: © 2020 Yara Suliman et al.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-05-14 PubMed ID: 32490150PubMed Central: PMC7256850DOI: 10.5194/aab-63-145-2020Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 research article discusses a study that compared qualitative and quantitative sperm parameters between fertile and subfertile stallions during breeding and non-breeding seasons. It found that certain sperm quality parameters, like motility, morphology, and other movement characteristics, were significantly higher in fertile stallions during the breeding season. Seasonal variations were observed in both groups of stallions, with certain parameters being lower in the non-breeding season.

Methodology and Results

  • The researchers compared various semen quality parameters from two different sets of Warmblood stallions – one group consisting of four fertile stallions and another of four subfertile stallions. These groups had notably different pregnancy rates, with 80-90% for the fertile group and 40-60% for the subfertile one.
  • A total of 64 ejaculates were collected from these stallions across the breeding and non-breeding seasons – four per stallion in each season.
  • The parameters studied included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, sperm morphology, and various features related to sperm movement as analyzed via computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).
  • No significant differences were noted between the fertile and subfertile stallions in terms of semen quality during the non-breeding season.
  • However, during the breeding season, the fertile stallions showed a significantly higher proportion of morphologically normal sperm, increased total and progressive motility, and higher average path velocity (VAP) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) compared to the subfertile group.

Seasonal Variations and Conclusion

  • Interestingly, a significant seasonal variation was observed in the proportion of morphologically normal sperm within the fertile group – this parameter was higher during the breeding season.
  • Certain CASA-derived parameters like mean VAP, straight-line velocity (VSL), and beat-cross frequency (BCF) also showed significant seasonal variations in both fertile and subfertile stallions – these tended to be lower during the non-breeding season.
  • Overall, the study concluded that the key differences between fertile and subfertile stallions were predominately noticeable during the breeding season, with a few parameters exhibiting significant decreases during the non-breeding season for both groups.

Cite This Article

APA
Suliman Y, Becker F, Tuchscherer A, Wimmers K. (2020). Seasonal variations in quantitative and qualitative sperm characteristics in fertile and subfertile stallions. Arch Anim Breed, 63(1), 145-154. https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-63-145-2020

Publication

Archives animal breeding
ISSN: 2363-9822
NlmUniqueID: 101701238
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 1
Pages: 145-154

Researcher Affiliations

Suliman, Yara
  • Institute for Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
Becker, Frank
  • Institute for Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
Tuchscherer, Armin
  • Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
Wimmers, Klaus
  • Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
  • Professorship of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.

References

This article includes 32 references
  1. Altinsaat C, Gokturk Uner A, Sulu N, Ergün A. Seasonal variations in serum concentrations of melatonin, testosterone, progesterone in Arabian horse. Ankara Üniv Vet Fak Derg 2009;56:19–24.
    doi: 10.1501/Vetfak_0000002186google scholar: lookup
  2. Aurich C. Reproductive cycles of horses.. Anim Reprod Sci 2011 Apr;124(3-4):220-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.02.005pubmed: 21377299google scholar: lookup
  3. Blottner S, Warnke C, Tuchscherer A, Heinen V, Torner H. Morphological and functional changes of stallion spermatozoa after cryopreservation during breeding and non-breeding season.. Anim Reprod Sci 2001 Jan 31;65(1-2):75-88.
    doi: 10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00214-1pubmed: 11182510google scholar: lookup
  4. Broekhuijse ML, Šoštarić E, Feitsma H, Gadella BM. Application of computer-assisted semen analysis to explain variations in pig fertility.. J Anim Sci 2012 Mar;90(3):779-89.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4311pubmed: 22064743google scholar: lookup
  5. Clay CM, Clay JN. Endocrine and testicular changes associated with season, artificial photoperiod, and the peri-pubertal period in stallions.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1992 Apr;8(1):31-56.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30465-0pubmed: 1576553google scholar: lookup
  6. Davis RO, Katz DF. Standardization and comparability of CASA instruments.. J Androl 1992 Jan-Feb;13(1):81-6.
    pubmed: 1551809
  7. Dowsett KF, Pattie WA. Characteristics and fertility of stallion semen.. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 1982;32:1-8.
    pubmed: 6962847
  8. Gerlach T, Aurich JE. Regulation of seasonal reproductive activity in the stallion, ram and hamster.. Anim Reprod Sci 2000 Mar 15;58(3-4):197-213.
    doi: 10.1016/S0378-4320(99)00093-7pubmed: 10708895google scholar: lookup
  9. Gil MC, García-Herreros M, Barón FJ, Aparicio IM, Santos AJ, García-Marín LJ. Morphometry of porcine spermatozoa and its functional significance in relation with the motility parameters in fresh semen.. Theriogenology 2009 Jan 15;71(2):254-63.
    doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.07.007pubmed: 18760833google scholar: lookup
  10. Holt WV, Moore HD, Hillier SG. Computer-assisted measurement of sperm swimming speed in human semen: correlation of results with in vitro fertilization assays.. Fertil Steril 1985 Jul;44(1):112-9.
    doi: 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)48687-5pubmed: 4007186google scholar: lookup
  11. Hurtgen JP. Evaluation of the stallion for breeding soundness.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1992 Apr;8(1):149-65.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30472-8pubmed: 1576547google scholar: lookup
  12. Janett F, Thun R, Niederer K, Burger D, Hässig M. Seasonal changes in semen quality and freezability in the Warmblood stallion.. Theriogenology 2003 Aug;60(3):453-61.
    doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(03)00046-3pubmed: 12763159google scholar: lookup
  13. Jasko DJ, Lein DH, Foote RH. Determination of the relationship between sperm morphologic classifications and fertility in stallions: 66 cases (1987-1988).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1990 Aug 1;197(3):389-94.
    pubmed: 2391279
  14. Jasko DJ, Lein DH, Foote RH. The repeatability and effect of season on seminal characteristics and computer-aided sperm analysis in the stallion.. Theriogenology 1991 Feb;35(2):317-27.
    doi: 10.1016/0093-691x(91)90282-ipubmed: 16726902google scholar: lookup
  15. Jasko DJ, Little TV, Lein DH, Foote RH. Comparison of spermatozoal movement and semen characteristics with fertility in stallions: 64 cases (1987-1988).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992 Apr 1;200(7):979-85.
    pubmed: 1577655
  16. Kavak A, Lundeheim N, Aidnik M, Einarsson S. Sperm morphology in Estonian and Tori breed stallions.. Acta Vet Scand 2004;45(1-2):11-8.
    doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-45-11pmc: PMC1820996pubmed: 15535082google scholar: lookup
  17. Kirk ES, Squires EL, Graham JK. Comparison of in vitro laboratory analyses with the fertility of cryopreserved stallion spermatozoa.. Theriogenology 2005 Oct 1;64(6):1422-39.
    doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.03.006pubmed: 16139616google scholar: lookup
  18. Liu DY, Clarke GN, Baker HW. Relationship between sperm motility assessed with the Hamilton-Thorn motility analyzer and fertilization rates in vitro.. J Androl 1991 Jul-Aug;12(4):231-9.
    doi: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.1991.tb00258.xpubmed: 1917688google scholar: lookup
  19. Magistrini M, Chanteloube P, Palmer E. Influence of season and frequency of ejaculation on production of stallion semen for freezing.. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 1987;35:127-33.
    pubmed: 3479568
  20. Neild DM, Chaves MG, Flores M, Miragaya MH, Gonzalez E, Agüero A. The HOS test and its relationship to fertility in the stallion.. Andrologia 2000 Nov;32(6):351-5.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2000.00357.xpubmed: 11131844google scholar: lookup
  21. Pesch S, Bostedt H, Failing K, Bergmann M. Advanced fertility diagnosis in stallion semen using transmission electron microscopy.. Anim Reprod Sci 2006 Feb;91(3-4):285-98.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.04.004pubmed: 15925461google scholar: lookup
  22. Pickett BW, Sullivan JJ, Seidel GE Jr. Reproductive physiology of the stallion. V. Effect of frequency of ejaculation on seminal characteristics and spermatozoal output.. J Anim Sci 1975 May;40(5):917-23.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1975.405917xpubmed: 236991google scholar: lookup
  23. Pickett BW, Faulkner LC, Seidel GE Jr, Berndtson WE, Voss JL. Reproductive physiology of the stallion. VI. Seminal and behavioral characteristics.. J Anim Sci 1976 Sep;43(3):617-25.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1976.433617xpubmed: 977486google scholar: lookup
  24. Quintero-Moreno A, Miró J, Teresa Rigau A, Rodríguez-Gil JE. Identification of sperm subpopulations with specific motility characteristics in stallion ejaculates.. Theriogenology 2003 May;59(9):1973-90.
    doi: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)01297-9pubmed: 12600734google scholar: lookup
  25. Roser JF, Hughes JP. Seasonal effects on seminal quality, plasma hormone concentrations, and GnRH-induced LH response in fertile and subfertile stallions.. J Androl 1992 May-Jun;13(3):214-23.
    pubmed: 1318293
  26. Sieme H, Katila T, Klug E. Effect of semen collection practices on sperm characteristics before and after storage and on fertility of stallions.. Theriogenology 2004 Feb;61(4):769-84.
    doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(03)00251-6pubmed: 14698065google scholar: lookup
  27. van der Holst W. A study of the morphology of stallion semen during the breeding and non-breeding seasons.. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 1975 Oct;(23):87-9.
    pubmed: 1060878
  28. Verstegen J, Iguer-Ouada M, Onclin K. Computer assisted semen analyzers in andrology research and veterinary practice.. Theriogenology 2002 Jan 1;57(1):149-79.
    doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(01)00664-1pubmed: 11775967google scholar: lookup
  29. Voss JL, Pickett BW, Squires EL. Stallion spermatozoal morphology and motility and their relationships to fertility.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1981 Feb 1;178(3):287-9.
    pubmed: 7228787
  30. Wach-Gygax L, Burger D, Malama E, Bollwein H, Fleisch A, Jeannerat E, Thomas S, Schuler G, Janett F. Seasonal changes of DNA fragmentation and quality of raw and cold-stored stallion spermatozoa.. Theriogenology 2017 Sep 1;99:98-104.
    doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.025pubmed: 28708505google scholar: lookup
  31. Warnke C, Blottner S, Kanitz W, Tuchscherer A, Torner H. Changes of movement and morphology in stallion spermatozoa between breeding and non-breeding season. Arch Tierz Dummerstorf 2001;44.
    doi: 10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00214-1google scholar: lookup
  32. Whitesell K, Stefanovski D, McDonnell S, Turner R. Evaluation of the effect of laboratory methods on semen analysis and breeding soundness examination (BSE) classification in stallions.. Theriogenology 2020 Jan 15;142:67-76.
    doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.09.035pubmed: 31581045google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Medica AJ, Lambourne S, Aitken RJ. Predicting the Outcome of Equine Artificial Inseminations Using Chilled Semen.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 30;13(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13071203pubmed: 37048459google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.