The effect of time of insemination with fresh cooled transported semen and natural mating relative to ovulation on pregnancy and embryo loss rates in the mare.
Abstract: One hundred and fifty-four mares were inseminated with fresh semen either during the pre- or post-ovulatory periods at different intervals relative to ovulation: 36-24 h (n = 17) and 24-0 h (n = 30) before ovulation; 0-8 h (n = 21), 8-16 h (n = 24), 16-24 h (n = 48) and 24-32 h (n = 14) h after ovulation. All mares received the same routine post-mating treatment consisting of an intrauterine infusion with 1 litre of saline and antibiotics followed 8 h later by an intravenous administration of oxytocin. Artificial inseminations (AI) from 36 h before ovulation up to 16 h post-ovulation were performed with transported cooled semen. While there was no data available for inseminations later than 16 h, data from natural mating after 16 h post-ovulation were included. Pregnancy rate (PR) of mares inseminated 36-24 h (29.4%) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than mares inseminated 24-0 h before ovulation (60%), 0-8 h (66.7%) and 8-16 h (70.1%) post-ovulation. Embryo loss rate (ELR) was highest in mares mated 24-32 h after ovulation (75%). PR of mares mated 16-24 h post-ovulation (54.1%) did not differ significantly from any other group (p > 0.05); however, the ELR did increased markedly (34.6%) compared with inseminations before 16 h post-ovulation (<12%). At ≥ 30 days post-ovulation, PR of mares mated 16-24 h after ovulation (35.4%) was significantly lower than mares mated 0-16 h after ovulation (62%). Good PR with acceptable ELR can result from inseminations within 16 h of ovulation, at least with this specific post-mating routine treatment.
© 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2010-11-30 PubMed ID: 21114795DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01728.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study investigates the optimal timing of artificial insemination in horses, particularly in relation to ovulation, and its effects on pregnancy and embryo loss rates. The study finds that insemination within 16 hours of ovulation yields higher pregnancy rates and more acceptable embryo loss rates.
Objective and Methodology
- The aim of the study was to determine the best insemination timing in relation to ovulation for optimal pregnancy and embryo loss rates in mares.
- A total of 154 mares were inseminated with fresh semen either during the pre- or post-ovulatory periods at varying time intervals relative to ovulation.
- All mares received the same post mating treatment which included an intrauterine infusion with saline and antibiotics, succeeded by an intravenous administration of oxytocin 8 hours later.
- Artificial inseminations from 36 hours before ovulation up to 16 hours post-ovulation were done with transported cooled semen. Natural mating data after 16 hours post-ovulation was also included in the study.
Findings
- The study showed that the pregnancy rate was significantly lower for mares inseminated 36-24 hours before ovulation compared to those inseminated within 24 hours before ovulation and up to 16 hours after ovulation.
- Meanwhile, the embryo loss rate was at its highest when mares were mated 24-32 hours post ovulation.
- While there was no significant difference in pregnancy rate for mares mated 16-24 hours post ovulation compared to other groups, the embryo loss rate was noticeably higher.
- The data also showed that, at over 30 days post-ovulation, the pregnancy rate of mares mated 16-24 hours after ovulation was significantly lower than those mated within the 0-16 hours after ovulation.
Conclusion
- The study concludes that inseminations done within 16 hours of ovulation can result in good pregnancy rates with acceptable embryo loss rates when using the specific post-mating treatment mentioned.
- This research provides essential insights for determining the optimal timing for insemination in relation to ovulation and could have significant implications for breeding practices among mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Newcombe JR, Cuervo-Arango J.
(2010).
The effect of time of insemination with fresh cooled transported semen and natural mating relative to ovulation on pregnancy and embryo loss rates in the mare.
Reprod Domest Anim, 46(4), 678-681.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01728.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Fertility Clinic, Warren House Farm, Barracks Lane, West Midlands, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Copulation / physiology
- Embryo Loss / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Insemination, Artificial
- Ovulation / physiology
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Rate
- Refrigeration
- Semen / physiology
- Semen Preservation
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Brito LFC, Linardi RL, Rosales LAS, Balamurugan NS, Hernández-Avilés C, Ramírez-Agámez L. Evaluation of a Chemically Defined, Long-Term Extender for Liquid Storage of Stallion Semen. Reprod Domest Anim 2025 Sep;60(9):e70126.
- Malmsten J, Dalin AM. Reproductive failure in moose (Alces alces) due to embryonic mortality and unfertilized oocytes. Acta Theriol (Warsz) 2014;59(3):449-455.
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