The effect of insemination volume on pregnancy rates of pony mares.
Abstract: It has recently been reported that large insemination volumes might affect fertility of mares. The results from these studies are confounded by other factors, however, such as inadequate number of spermatozoa in the inseminate. We conducted a study to test whether volume alone affects fertility when sufficient numbers of spermatozoa are present. Semen from one stallion was collected, extended at 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, and stored in a commercial semen cooling device for 18 to 30 h before insemination. Ten pony mares were assigned during estrus in random pairs to be bred every other day with either 30 or 120 ml of extended cooled semen. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography per rectum on Days 11, 12 and 13 after ovulation. On Day 13, the mares were given a luteolytic dose (5 mg) of PGF(2alpha). On the subsequent cycle, the mares were given the alternate treatment. The pregnancy rates in the 30- and 120-ml insemination volume groups were 7 9 and 10 10 , respectively; this difference was not significant (P=0.2). Embryonic growth from Day 11 to Day 13 was not different (P>0.05) between groups. We conclude that insemination volumes as large as 120 ml have no adverse effect on fertility.
Publication Date: 1994-09-01 PubMed ID: 16727563DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(94)90374-rGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explores the effects of different insemination volumes on the pregnancy rates of pony mares, concluding that larger volumes, up to 120 ml, do not adversely impact fertility.
Objective of the Study
- This study was conducted to investigate whether the volume of the inseminate has an impact on the fertility of pony mares when there are sufficient numbers of spermatozoa present.
Methods of the Study
- Semen from one stallion was collected, extended at 50 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, and stored in a commercial semen cooling device before insemination.
- Ten pony mares were selected for the study. When these mares were in estrus, they were randomly divided into pairs and bred every other day with either 30 or 120 ml of extended cooled semen.
- The pregnancy status of the mares was confirmed by using ultrasonography per rectum on Days 11, 12, and 13 after ovulation.
- On the 13th day, each mare was given a luteolytic dose, 5 mg of PGF(2alpha).
- In their subsequent cycle, the mares were given the alternate treatment.
Results of the Study
- The results showed that the pregnancy rates in the 30- and 120-ml insemination volume groups were 7 out of 9 and 10 out of 10, respectively. The statistical analysis suggested that this difference was not significant (P=0.2).
- The research also found no significant difference (P>0.05) in embryonic growth between Day 11 and Day 13 among the two groups.
Conclusion of the Study
- The study concluded that larger insemination volumes, as high as 120 ml, do not negatively affect fertility in pony mares. This conclusion contradicts previous research suggesting that large insemination volumes might affect fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Bedford SJ, Hinrichs K.
(1994).
The effect of insemination volume on pregnancy rates of pony mares.
Theriogenology, 42(4), 571-578.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691x(94)90374-r Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01836, USA.
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