Testicular measurements and daily sperm output of Tori and Estonian breed stallions.
Abstract: Evaluation of testicular measurements and daily sperm output (DSO) yields valuable information for predicting the reproductive capacity of stallions. The present study evaluated testicular measurements (height, length, width and circumference) and DSO of eight Tori and eight Estonian breed stallions. One ejaculate of semen was collected daily for 10 subsequent days from each stallion. The gel-free volume of semen was measured with a graduated glass cylinder and the sperm concentration was assessed with a Chorjajev chamber. The volume of gel-free fraction was multiplied by the sperm concentration to give the total number of spermatozoa (TSN). The DSO was calculated as mean TSN of collection on days 8-10 in Tori breed stallions and on days 4-10 in Estonian breed stallions. The DSO of Tori breed stallions was 12.9 x 109 spermatozoa and of Estonian breed stallions 4.5 x 109 spermatozoa (p < 0.001). Testicular measurements (in cm) 1 day after the last semen collection were as follows: left testis- height 7.3, length 10.4 and width 7.3 in Tori breed stallions, and 5.9, 8.1 and 5.9, respectively, in Estonian breed stallions; right testis- height 7.4, length 10.6 and width 7.4 in Tori breed stallions, and 5.5, 7.4 and 5.3, respectively, in Estonian breed stallions. All these testicular measurements were significantly smaller in Estonian than in Tori breed stallions (p < 0.001). Testicular circumference was 45.4 and 35.4 cm in Tori and Estonian breed stallions, respectively (p < 0.001). The testicular circumference was correlated with DSO in both Estonian (p < 0.05) and Tori breed stallions (p = 0.071). The results give us valuable information on the reproductive capacity of Tori and Estonian breed stallions.
Publication Date: 2003-05-20 PubMed ID: 12753547DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0531.2003.00418.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study investigates the correlation between testicular measurements and sperm output in Tori and Estonian breed stallions. The findings showed both the measurements and output were significantly higher in Tori than in Estonian breed stallions.
Study Design and Methodology
- The study involved eight stallions from each of the two breeds – Tori and Estonian.
- Semen was collected from each stallion for 10 consecutive days.
- From the collected semen, parameters such as the volume of gel-free fraction and sperm concentration were assessed.
- These values were then used to calculate the total number of spermatozoa (TSN) and daily sperm output (DSO).
Results and Findings
- Large differences were seen in DSO between the two breeds. Tori stallions had a DSO of 12.9 x 109 spermatozoa, significantly higher than the 4.5 x 109 spermatozoa in Estonian stallions.
- Testicular measurements also varied significantly – Tori stallions had larger measurements for height, length and width of both testes than the Estonian stallions.
- The circumference of the testes in Tori stallions was also found to be significantly larger than those of the Estonian stallions.
Conclusions and Implications
- The study found a correlation between the size of testicular measurements (particularly circumference) and DSO in both breeds of stallions.
- The significantly higher DSO and larger testicular measurements in Tori stallions compared to Estonian stallions indicate a higher reproductive capacity in the former.
- This study provides valuable insights for breeders in estimating the reproductive potential of stallions, specifically between Tori and Estonian breeds.
Cite This Article
APA
Kavak A, Lundeheim N, Aidnik M, Einarsson S.
(2003).
Testicular measurements and daily sperm output of Tori and Estonian breed stallions.
Reprod Domest Anim, 38(3), 167-169.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0531.2003.00418.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu, Estonia. ant.kavak@og.slu.se
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- Ejaculation
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Semen / physiology
- Spermatozoa / physiology
- Testis / anatomy & histology
- Testis / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Martins-Bessa A, Quaresma M, Leiva B, Calado A, Navas González FJ. Bayesian Linear Regression Modelling for Sperm Quality Parameters Using Age, Body Weight, Testicular Morphometry, and Combined Biometric Indices in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 13;11(1).
- 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.
- Bucci R, De Amicis I, Parrillo S, Robbe D, Carluccio A. Evaluation of Testicular Volume and Correlation with Sperm Production in Martina Franca Donkeys: A Parameter to Consider When Approving Breeding Jacks. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 23;13(23).
- Montes-Garrido R, Anel-Lopez L, Riesco MF, Neila-Montero M, Palacin-Martinez C, Soriano-Úbeda C, Boixo JC, de Paz P, Anel L, Alvarez M. Does Size Matter? Testicular Volume and Its Predictive Ability of Sperm Production in Rams. Animals (Basel) 2023 Oct 13;13(20).
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