Semen parameters and level of microsatellite heterozygosity in Noriker draught horse stallions.
Abstract: It was the aim of the present study to determine physiological values for different semen parameters in an endangered draught horse breed, the Austrian Noriker. Because small population size is often believed to cause a decrease in fertility and/or semen quality through inbreeding and a reduction in genetic variation, the general genomic heterogeneity of the breed was estimated on the basis of microsatellite variation and correlated to semen parameters. Semen could be collected from 104 of 139 stallions with semen collection being more often successful in younger stallions. Mean volume of ejaculates was 90.8+/-55.1 ml, density 243+/-114 x 10(6)ml(-1), total sperm count 21.0+/-23.7 x 10(9), percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa 38+/-18% and total motility 50+/-23%. Total sperm count and semen motility were significantly affected by age. Blood samples of 134 stallions were analysed for 12 microsatellite DNA markers. Genotypes of 110 stallions with at least 11 successfully typed markers were used for calculation of heterozygosity. A total of 82 alleles was identified with a mean of 6.8 alleles per marker. Heterozygosity varied between 35 and 76% for the different markers, mean heterozygosity was calculated to 63%. No correlation between heterozygosity and semen parameters was found.
Publication Date: 2003-05-17 PubMed ID: 12749950DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(03)00005-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the physiological values of different semen parameters in the Austrian Noriker, an endangered breed of draft horse, in correlation to their genomic heterogeneity. It concludes that there is no correlation between genetic variation indicated by microsatellite markers and semen parameters.
Research Purpose and Methodology
- The study aims to evaluate the semen parameters of the Austrian Noriker draft horse breed, which is endangered. The research assumption is that smaller populations often witness a decrease in fertility/semen quality due to inbreeding and reducing genetic variation.
- They measured different semen parameters and attempted a correlation with the general genomic heterogeneity, which was estimated based on microsatellite variation of the breed.
- Semen was successfully collected from 104 out of 139 stallions, with collection being more prevalent in younger stallions.
Semen Parameters
- The study found that the average volume of ejaculates was approximately 90.8 ml, the density was around 243 million sperm per ml, total sperm count was 21 billion, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa was around 38%, and total motility was about 50%.
- It was observed that total sperm count and semen motility were significantly affected by the age of the stallions.
Genetic Variation Assessment
- Blood samples of 134 stallions were analyzed for 12 microsatellite DNA markers, an accepted measure of genetic diversity.
- Among the 110 stallions with at least 11 successfully typed markers, genotypes were used to calculate the level of heterozygosity, indicating genetic variation and diversity within the population.
- A total of 82 alleles were identified with an average of 6.8 alleles per marker. The level of heterozygosity ranged between 35 and 76% for different markers while the average heterozygosity was determined to be around 63%.
Conclusion
- The final results of the research indicated that there was no correlation between the degree of heterozygosity, representing genetic variation, and the semen parameters in this breed of draft horse.
Cite This Article
APA
Aurich C, Achmann R, Aurich JE.
(2003).
Semen parameters and level of microsatellite heterozygosity in Noriker draught horse stallions.
Theriogenology, 60(2), 371-378.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(03)00005-0 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, University of Veterinary Sciences, 1210 Vienna, Austria. christine.aurich@vu-wien.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Alleles
- Animals
- DNA / analysis
- Heterozygote
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Microsatellite Repeats
- Semen / physiology
- Species Specificity
- Sperm Count
- Sperm Motility
- Spermatozoa / abnormalities
- Testosterone / blood
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