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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Sperm morphology in Estonian and Tori breed stallions.
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2004; 45(1-2); 11-18; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-45-11

Sperm morphology in Estonian and Tori breed stallions.

Abstract: The standard procedure for assessing the breeding potential of a stallion includes the parameter total number of spermatozoa classified as morphologically normal. This study investigated sperm morphology of fresh semen in randomly chosen Estonian (E, n = 8) and Tori (T, n = 7) breed stallions with proven fertility. Two ejaculates were examined from each stallion. An aliquot from each ejaculate was fixed in 1 mL formol-saline immediately after collection and examined with phase-contrast microscope at a magnification 1000x for all types of morphological abnormalities. Furthermore smears were prepared and stained according to Williams (carbolfuchsin-eosin) for a more detailed examination of the sperm heads with light microscope at a magnification 1000x. Analysis of variance was applied to the data, and results are presented as LSmeans (+/- SE). One T stallion that had a disturbance in the spermatogenesis and one 22-year-old E stallion were not included in the analyses. The T stallions had on average 57.5 +/- 4.1% and the E-stallions 74.4 +/- 3.8% morphologically normal spermatozoa (p = 0.012). In 4 of 7 T stallions and 7 of 8 E stallions both ejaculates had > 50% morphologically normal spermatozoa. There was a significant difference between breeds in mean percentage of proximal droplets (17.3 +/- 2.7% and 2.9 +/- 2.5% for T and E stallions, respectively; p = 0.003).
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Publication Date: 2004-11-13 PubMed ID: 15535082PubMed Central: PMC1820996DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-45-11Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study investigates the sperm morphology in Estonian and Tori breed stallions. It reveals significant differences in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa and in the presence of proximal droplets between the two stallions breeds.

Study Overview

  • The research compared the sperm morphology of two breeds of stallions: Estonian and Tori.
  • It involved examining fresh semen samples from 15 stallions of proven fertility (8 Estonian and 7 Tori).
  • Two ejaculates from each stallion were collected and immediately fixed in 1 mL formol-saline, then examined under a phase-contrast microscope.
  • Further examination of the sperm heads was done using a light microscope, with smear samples prepared and stained with carbolfuchsin-eosin.
  • Results were analyzed using variance analysis.

Key Findings

  • The Tori stallions had on average 57.5 +/- 4.1% morphologically normal spermatozoa while the Estonian stallions had 74.4 +/- 3.8%.
  • Significantly, in 4 of the 7 Tori stallions and in 7 of the 8 Estonian stallions, over 50% of spermatozoa in both ejaculates were morphologically normal.
  • There was a significant difference between the two breeds in the average percentage of proximal droplets: 17.3 +/- 2.7% for Tori stallions and 2.9 +/- 2.5% for Estonian stallions.

Exceptions to the Study

  • A Tori stallion with a disturbance in spermatogenesis and a 22-year-old Estonian stallion were not included in the analysis.

Implications of the Study

  • The significant difference in normal sperm morphology between the two breeds can influence their breeding efficiency.
  • The higher presence of proximal droplets in the Tori breed compared to the Estonian breed might suggest a potential fertility problem in the former.

Cite This Article

APA
Kavak A, Lundeheim N, Aidnik M, Einarsson S. (2004). Sperm morphology in Estonian and Tori breed stallions. Acta Vet Scand, 45(1-2), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-45-11

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 0044-605X
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 11-18

Researcher Affiliations

Kavak, A
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia. ants.kavak@og.slu.se
Lundeheim, N
    Aidnik, M
      Einarsson, S

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Horses / physiology
        • Male
        • Pedigree
        • Spermatozoa / abnormalities
        • Spermatozoa / physiology

        References

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