Association of Sodium Caseinate and Cholesterol Improved Fertility of Chilled Stallion Semen

Skim-milk based extenders are widely used for stallion semen cooling and shipping. While the majority of stallions present good pregnancy rates after cooling for 24h, some stallions may not present satisfactory fertility. Sodium caseinate is a milk protein capable of binding with high affinity to heat-shock proteins and ion calcium present in the seminal plasma. Excessive ion calcium is known to affect semen quality upon storage. Optimal cholesterol concentration in the extender is thought to play a role in sperm membrane stabilization during cooling.
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Source Type: research