Seminal traits, suitability for semen preservation and fertility in the native Portuguese horse breeds Puro Sangue Lusitano and Sorraia: Implications for stallion classification and assisted reproduction.
Abstract: The Puro Sangue Lusitano (PSL) is the major national breed of horse in Portugal, but no studies exist on its seminal characteristics, or on the possibility of conserving semen for future use. The aim of this study was to evaluate semen parameters, fertility and the aptness to semen preservation in Lusitano Stallions. In order to compare characteristics defined by a single or by multiple semen collections per stallion 152 ejaculates obtained from 152 Lusitano stallions presented at an annual breeding soundness examination as well as data related to 371 ejaculates obtained from 9 PSL were analyzed. These latter samples were also evaluated in terms of their possible use in assisted reproduction and were compared with 113 ejaculates obtained from 4 Sorraia horses, a rare and endangered Portuguese breed. The percentage of motile spermatozoa (PMS) was assessed after collection (AC), after semen dilution (AD) and at 24h of cool-storage. Mean values obtained for sperm motility and morphology and semen pH observed after semen collection differ significantly (P<0.05) between single collection/multiple stallions and multiple collections/limited stallions, and no age related effects were detected. Overall, Lusitano semen quality was comparable to that of related breeds, while Sorraia stallions had very poor semen quality. The response to cool-storage of diluted semen samples differed among stallions and breeds, and the best results for progressive motile sperm cells at 24h were in a range of 35-53% for PSL stallions and were lower for Sorraia stallions. Fertility rates obtained with artificial insemination (AI) averaged at 85% for PSL. With the exception of PMS AC, sperm vitality and semen pH no other seminal trait seemed to influence fertility rates in the Lusitano breed.
Publication Date: 2008-06-08 PubMed ID: 18632230DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.06.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper is a detailed study on the seminal traits and fertility rate of Puro Sangue Lusitano (PSL), a major breed of horse in Portugal, with implications for semen preservation and comparison with a rare Portuguese breed – the Sorraia Horse.
Research Objective
- The primary aim of this research was to study the seminal characteristics and fertility of the Lusitano Stallions, a primary breed of horse in Portugal.
- The paper further explores the possibility of semen preservation, along with comparing the features from single or multiple semen collections from various stallions.
- A comparison is carried out with Sorraia horses, a rare breed, to unify the difference and similarities between these breeds.
Methodology and Analysis
- This study involved quantitative analysis based on 152 ejaculates from 152 Lusitano stallions along with another data set of 371 ejaculates from 9 PSL horses.
- Additionally, data from 113 ejaculates from 4 Sorraia horses were included for comparison.
- The seminal variables considered here were the percentage of motile spermatozoa post collection and dilution of semen and after 24 hours of cool-storage.
- The mean values for sperm motility and morphology and semen pH were then observed.
Findings
- The study found significant differences between single collection/multiple stallions and multiple collections/limited stallions.
- Lusitano semen quality was found comparable to related breeds while Sorraia stallions had significantly lower semen quality.
- The reaction to cool-storage varied among breeds and stallions; the best results for progressive motile sperm cells at 24 hours were found to be between 35-53% for PSL stallions, lower for Sorraia stallions.
- Artificial insemination (AI) fertility rates averaged at around 85% for PSL.
- Barring sperm vitality and semen pH, no other seminal trait seemed to influence fertility rates in the Lusitano breed.
Implications
- This research can play a significant role in improving the future reproductive efficiency of these breeds.
- This study provides a blueprint for comparing seminal traits, conservation options, and fertility rates in stallions across breeds.
- These results can help in making pivotal decisions towards preservation efforts, particularly for the endangered Sorraia breed.
Cite This Article
APA
Gamboa S, Machado-Faria M, Ramalho-Santos J.
(2008).
Seminal traits, suitability for semen preservation and fertility in the native Portuguese horse breeds Puro Sangue Lusitano and Sorraia: Implications for stallion classification and assisted reproduction.
Anim Reprod Sci, 113(1-4), 102-113.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.06.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Zootechnic Sciences, Agricultural School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Bencanta, Coimbra 3040-316, Portugal. scgamboa@esac.pt
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Birth Rate
- Breeding / methods
- Breeding / standards
- Cold Temperature
- Fertility / physiology
- Horses / classification
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Portugal
- Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / standards
- Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / veterinary
- Semen / cytology
- Semen / physiology
- Semen Analysis
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / standards
- Species Specificity
- Sperm Retrieval / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Laseca N, Anaya G, Peña Z, Pirosanto Y, Molina A, Demyda Peyrás S. Impaired Reproductive Function in Equines: From Genetics to Genomics. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 3;11(2).
- Alamaary MS, Haron AW, Ali M, Hiew MWH, Adamu L, Peter ID. Effects of four extenders on the quality of frozen semen in Arabian stallions. Vet World 2019 Jan;12(1):34-40.
- Gamboa S, Quaresma A, Castro F, Bravo P, Rebordão MR, Oom MDM, Rocha A. In vivo fertilizing ability of stallion spermatozoa processed by single layer centrifugation with Androcoll-E™. Saudi J Biol Sci 2017 Nov;24(7):1489-1496.
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