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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(11); 3088; doi: 10.3390/ani11113088

Systematic Analysis of Breed, Methodological, and Geographical Impact on Equine Sperm Progressive Motility.

Abstract: Over the past five decades, there has been increasing evidence to indicate global declines in human semen quality. Parallel adverse trends measured in male animals indicate a potential environmental aetiology. This study evaluated the progressive motility (PM) of stallion ejaculate through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 696 estimates of equine PM from 280 studies, which collected semen samples between the years 1990 and 2018, were collated for meta-analysis. The method of motility analysis, breed, season of collection, and geographical location were extracted. Simple linear regression determined temporal trends in stallion PM. Studies using microscopy estimated PM to be significantly greater compared to computer-automated methods ( ≤ 0.001). For Arabian breeds, PM was consistently higher than other breeds. Over time, there was a significant decline in PM for studies from Europe ( = 267) but a significant increase for studies from North America ( = 259). Temporal trends indicate the fertilising capacity of equine ejaculate has remained consistently high in the last three decades. That being so, variations observed suggest methodological, geographical, and individual stallion differences may significantly influence actual and reported stallion fertility potential.
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Publication Date: 2021-10-29 PubMed ID: 34827820PubMed Central: PMC8614490DOI: 10.3390/ani11113088Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 evaluates the progressive motility of stallion ejaculate, with influences from method of analysis, breed, geographical location and collection season considered. A notable shift in semen quality over time was observed, varying based on region.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis which pooled data from 280 studies carried out between 1990 and 2018. In total, 696 estimates of equine progressive motility were gathered.
  • The team recorded the method of motility analysis used in each study, the breed of the stallion, the season in which the semen sample was collected, and the geographical location of the study.
  • A simple linear regression was used to determine temporal trends in stallion progressive motility.

Findings

  • The studies that used microscopy to analyze motility reported significantly greater progressive motility estimates than those that used computer-automated methods.
  • In terms of breed, Arabian stallions consistently showed higher progressive motility rates than other breeds.
  • A significant temporal trend was observed. Research originating from Europe showed a decline in progressive motility over time. Conversely, studies from North America showed an increase in progressive motility.

Implications

  • The results demonstrate that the fertilizing capacity of equine ejaculate has remained consistently high in the past three decades. This conflicts with parallel adverse trends measured in human and other animal male semen quality.
  • The variations observed indicate that factors such as methodological differences, geographical location, and individual stallion differences could significantly influence both the actual and reported fertility potential of stallions. This could guide future research and methodology in equine fertility studies.

Cite This Article

APA
Perrett J, Harris IT, Maddock C, Farnworth M, Pyatt AZ, Sumner RN. (2021). Systematic Analysis of Breed, Methodological, and Geographical Impact on Equine Sperm Progressive Motility. Animals (Basel), 11(11), 3088. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113088

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 11
PII: 3088

Researcher Affiliations

Perrett, Jodie
  • Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Harris, Imogen Thea
  • Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Maddock, Christy
  • Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Hartpury House, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Farnworth, Mark
  • The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
Pyatt, Alison Z
  • International Office, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Addlestone KT15 3LS, UK.
Sumner, Rebecca Nicole
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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