Seasonal Influences on Cooled-Shipped and Frozen-Thawed Stallion Semen

Aurich, Christine

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2016.04.089

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Our study did not aim to investigate the mechanisms behind age and breed differences in post-thaw semen motility. Sperm membrane lipid composition affects the resistance of spermatozoa to cryopreservation [ 11 ] and we could recently demonstrate an increase in sperm membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content from the non-breeding into the breeding season [ 13 ]. In cattle, cryopreserved semen samples defined as good quality differed from semen with lower quality in lipid concentration and fatty acid composition in both seminal plasma and the cell compartment [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In these breeds, summer was the best season for semen cryopreservation in the present investigation. It has recently been demonstrated that seasonal changes in sperm fatty acid composition might in part explain seasonal differences in the resistance of equine spermatozoa to cryopreservation and cooled-storage [ 11 , 13 ] but such effects may also depend on breed. In most stallions, successful semen cryopreservation outside the breeding season is possible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under commercial conditions, the number of cryopreserved semen doses per ejaculate is of great interest, provided post-thaw semen quality is of acceptable quality. Preliminary data from our group indicate that the production of cryopreserved semen in horses might be most efficient during the summer months [ 11 , 12 ]. Seminal plasma affects the quality of cryopreserved stallion semen [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions

Aurich

Kuhl

Tichy³

et al. 2020

Animals

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Differences in the cryotolerance of spermatozoa exist among stallions, but it remains to be determined to what extent such differences are affected by breed. In this study, post-thaw semen quality in stallions presented for semen cryopreservation was analysed retrospectively (1012 ejaculates from 134 stallions of 5 breeds). The percentage of frozen–thawed ejaculates acceptable for artificial insemination (AI) and the number of insemination doses per cryopreserved ejaculate was calculated. Logistic regression analysis revealed sperm motility in raw semen as the most important explanatory variable for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates with a post-thaw quality acceptable for AI. Of the other variables included into the model, stallion age was the most important parameter with more acceptable ejaculates in younger than in older stallions. Logistic regression also showed more acceptable frozen–thawed ejaculates in Arab stallions versus Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and Icelandic horses. The analysis thus demonstrates differences in the percentage of acceptable cryopreserved ejaculates among horse breeds. Season was a less relevant explanatory variable for percentage of acceptable cryopreserved ejaculates. Logistic regression revealed total sperm count as the most important variable determining the number of cryopreserved semen doses obtained per acceptable ejaculate. In conclusion, logistic regression analysis revealed stallion age and breed as explanatory variables for the percentage of cryopreserved ejaculates acceptable for AI.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions

Aurich

Kuhl

Tichy³

et al. 2020

Animals

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“…The horse is a long-day breeder and considering annual variation in semen quality allows to optimize reproductive efficiency of stallions [1,2]. Seasonal influences on endocrine testicular function [3][4][5] as well as on common semen characteristics of fresh and frozenthawed semen are well documented in the literature [6][7][8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes of DNA fragmentation and quality of raw and cold-stored stallion spermatozoa

et al. 2017

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In this study annual fluctuations of DNA fragmentation and quality of cold-stored equine sperm were evaluated. Ejaculates were collected weekly during one year from 15 stallions. Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and total sperm count were determined and semen was then extended and cold-stored for 48 h. Sperm motility was evaluated by CASA before and after 24 as well as 48 h of cold storage. In addition, the percentages of sperm with intact plasma membrane and acrosome (PMAI %) and with low intracellular Ca level were determined in cold-stored semen (24 h, 48 h). SCSA™ was performed to assess mean DFI, SD of DFI and % DFI in raw frozen-thawed as well as in extended sperm after 24 and 48 h of storage. The month of semen collection affected (P < 0.05) all parameters evaluated in raw semen and all criteria except progressive motility as well as rapid cells in semen stored for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Ejaculate volume was higher and sperm concentration lower in summer compared to winter and motility lower in July than in any other month of the year (P < 0.05). In semen processed in April and stored for 24 h the percentage of rapid cells was improved compared to January and after 48 h of storage progressive motility (%) was higher in January and October than in July (P < 0.05). After 24 h of cold storage PMAI % was higher in October than in January and after 48 h values were higher in September compared to January and February as well as from April to July (P < 0.05). Regarding sperm with low intracellular Ca level (%) after storage for 24 and 48 h, higher values were measured in winter and in October compared to April, June and July (P < 0.01). Seasonal changes in DNA fragmentation were most evident with respect to mean DFI. In raw frozen-thawed semen mean DFI was lower from August to November than in June and July (P < 0.001). Values were lower during winter compared to spring and early summer (P < 0.05) and lower in December than from April to September (P < 0.001). After 24 h of cold storage mean DFI was lower in September and October when compared to January, February, May, July and November (P < 0.05) and after 48 h storage mean DFI was reduced in spring and autumn compared to February, June and July (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a seasonal effect was evident on semen characteristics of raw and cold-stored sperm. Semen quality was impaired in midsummer when low sperm motility and viability were combined with an elevated DNA fragmentation and Ca level of sperm.

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“…Arabian and Thoroughbred stallions are two breeds considered as the biological reference for equine species because they have been spread out worldwide and extensively studied, also, both breeds have reported significant decreases of andrological variables starting at eleven years old, for example (mean ± SD before 12 years old; after 12 years old): seminal volume (48.00 ± 5.59; 45.83 ± 5.90 mL), spermatic concentration (359.9 ± 17.41; 315.25 ± 18.96 x 10 6 /mL), abnormal sperm (11.80 ± 1.30; 17.58 ± 2.02 %) motile sperm (76.50 ± 2.69; 67.92 ± 3.23 %) and the oxygen consumption spermatic mitochondrial activity (0.007; 0.005 % Mitox) (Dowsett and Knott 1996, El-Maaty et al 2014, Darr et al 2017. In Arabian and Thoroughbred stallions, the seminal quality also decreases during winter mainly because its reproductive functionality depends on the photoperiod and the daily light hours, for example: testicle volume (summer 380 ± 20; winter 220 ± 20 cm 3 ), seminal volume (summer 92 ± 11; winter 61 ± 8 mL), spermatic motility (summer 73 ± 4; winter 63 ± 3 %) (Janett et al 2003, Pereira et al 2012, Aurich 2016. Moreover, testosterone and oestrogen values are frequently used as fertility indicators during andrological examination of the stallions, however, they also vary over a year showing lower testosterone plasmatic concentration during winter in Arabian stallions (summer 798.62 ± 47.24; winter 572.42 ± 95.13 pg/mL), therefore, its clinical interpretation should be done carefully (Waheed et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Andrological characterisation of Chilean purebred stallions

Castro

Morales

Miranda

2020

Austral j. vet. sci.

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Chilean purebred horses are widely used in Chile for rodeo and farm work. Despite the importance of the breed, systematic studies characterising their andrological variables are lacking, making stallion evaluation and selection difficult. This study aimed to determine whether age and seasonality affect seminal, spermatic, gonadal and endocrine variables of 15 Chilean purebred stallions. The animals were studied over a year and were separated into a young group (n=6) (5 to 12 years) and an aged group (n=9) (13 to 25 years). The variables evaluated were: total seminal volume (mL), free gel seminal volume (mL), sperm concentration (106 x spermatozoa/mL using Spermacue refractometer TM), sperm progressive motility (conventional microscopy (%)), sperm vitality (Eosine-Nigrosine stain (%)) and sperm morphology (Hematoxylin Eosin stain (%)), testicle volume (cm 3 ) (ultrasound Weld 3000V, 5MHz), plasmatic testosterone (ng/mL) and estrogen (pg/mL) concentration determined by radioimmunoassay. To determine the statistical difference and correlation between variables, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were used, respectively (P<0.05). Most of the andrological variables were affected by age and season and although not significant, the values obtained were higher in young stallions during summer. Progressive motility (70 ± 12.1 %), sperm normal morphology (90 ± 1.7 %) and plasmatic estrogen (6.49 ± 1.8 pg/mL) reached statistical significance to plasmatic testosterone (0.3 ± 0.08 ng/mL) (P=0.01), sperm concentration (253 ± 59.5 x 106 sperm/mL) (P=0.03) and testicular volume (463.4 ± 90 cm3) (P=0.002) variables. Despite the results, we suggest that all these variables should be considered during stallion selection since andrological variables were neither correlated with testosterone nor the oestrogen plasmatic concentration. The results provide parameters that should be considered during the evaluation and selection of Chilean purebred stallions to avoid the extrapolation of data from other breeds.

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Seasonal Influences on Cooled-Shipped and Frozen-Thawed Stallion Semen

Cited by 14 publications

References 31 publications

Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions

Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions

Seasonal changes of DNA fragmentation and quality of raw and cold-stored stallion spermatozoa

Andrological characterisation of Chilean purebred stallions

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