Journal of Equine Veterinary Science This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

The Relationship Between Cholesterol Level in Stallion Sperm and Their Cryosurvival Rate
Increasing the cholesterol content of stallion sperm, using cyclodextrin technology, improves the cryosurvival rates of sperm (Moce et. al. Reprod Dom Animal. 2010; 45:57-66). Some stallions produce sperm which cryopreserve well, while other stallions produce sperm which do not. The goal of this study was to determine if sperm that normally freeze well have an inherently higher cholesterol/Phospolipid ratio, than sperm that do not normally freeze well. Ejaculates (24) were collected from 8 stallions at Select Breeders Services (Chesapeake City, MD, USA) and the samples cryopreserved. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: P.R. Loomis, E.L. Squires, J. Skaife, J.K. Graham Source Type: research

Novel Use of Imaging Flow Cytometry to Characterize the Relationship Between Abnormal Sperm Morphologies and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Stallion Sperm
Low levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for normal spermatozoal function and are produced by sperm mitochondria as a byproduct of metabolism, but in excess, ROS can cause catastrophic cellular damage and has been correlated with infertility, poor sperm motility and abnormal morphologies in humans (Aziz et. al. Fertility and Sterility. 2004; 2: 349-354). Stallion sperm fuel motility predominantly by oxidative phosphorylation-produced ATP, requiring high basal rates of mitochondrial function. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: E.A. Bulkeley, S.A. Meyers Source Type: research

The Effects of Extender Glucose Concentration and Storage Temperature on Stallion Semen Quality following Cooled Storage
Glucose is a common metabolic substrate in extenders used for cooled storage; yet, the optimal concentration of glucose is unknown, and interaction of glucose concentration and storage temperature has not been investigated. One ejaculate from each of 7 stallions was collected and diluted (1:1, v/v) with a milk-based extender at 4 different glucose concentrations: 0, 67, 147, or 270 mM (G0, G67, G147, and G270). Extended semen was subjected to cushioned centrifugation, and sperm were resuspended to 30 x 106/mL with the same extender containing 10% (v/v) of fresh, homologous seminal plasma. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: C. Hernandez-Aviles, C.C. Love, R. Serafini, S. Ghosh, S.R. Teague, K.A. LaCaze, D.D. Varner Source Type: research

Sperm Motility and Mitochondrial Activity can be Maintained for 24 h at Room Temperature in INRA96 ® Extender
The evolution of breeding management in sport horses makes it more and more frequent to transport semen for some hours from the site of collection to the site of insemination. Experiments performed in the 1980ies have suggested that semen should be stored at 4 °C. However, the developement of new extenders such as INRA96® (IMV Technologies) has allowed the preservation of fertility after storage at temperatures from 4°C to 15°C [1]. Nevertheless, the use of an adequate container with glass pack is still needed. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: I. Barrier Battut, C. Rousseau Source Type: research

The Use of Endoscopic Biopsy to Compare Histological Finds of Stallions With and Without Seminal Vesiculitis
Seminal vesicles are paired and one of the four accessory glands in the stallion, along with bulbourethral glands, prostate and ampullae. They are responsible for the gel fraction of the ejaculate and can be colonized with bacterias causing seminal vesiculitis. The aim of the present study was to biopsy and compare the epithelium of seminal vesicle of healthy stallions (G1, n=2) with stallions presenting chronic seminal vesiculitis (G2, n=2) by Pseudomonas spp. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study about seminal vesicles endoscopic biopsy evaluation in horses. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: V.F.C. Scheeren, M.L.M. Gobato, P.M. Papa, T.M.S. Cavalero, L.E.F. Canuto, L.T. Rodrigues, R.S. Bandeira, M.J. Watanabe, N.S. Rocha, M.A. Alvarenga, F.O. Papa Source Type: research

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)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: J.A. Dell ’Aqua Junior, G.A. Campos, V.F. Cruz Garcia, C.P. Freitas-Dell’Aqua, M.A. Alvarenga, F.O. Papa, I.F. Canisso Source Type: research

Filtration of Commercial Extenders Prior to Refreezing Stallion Sperm for ICSI
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a feasible technique for in vitro embryo production and optimization of stallion sperm utilization. The efficient use of frozen-thawed sperm can be improved by refreezing [1], which is an option for stallion sperm when availability is limited [2] and a method that has been successful in other species, including human and bovine [3,4]. Stallion sperm can be cryopreserved using extenders that contain skim milk, egg yolk, and glycerol as cryoprotectants [5]. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: G.D. Catandi, R.A. Gonzalez-Castro, J.M. Trentin, M.L. Corder, F.A. Sanches, J.E. Stokes, J.K. Graham, E.M. Carnevale Source Type: research

Detrimental Effect of Curcumin (Curcuma longa) on Stallion Sperm
The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and antioxidant defensive mechanisms results in excessive ROS levels that promote sperm DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial dysfunction and membrane lipid peroxidation, which are associated with infertility. Curcumin (CUR, Curcuma longa) is a natural phytochemical compound of turmeric that exhibits antioxidant properties. CUR can have beneficial effect on sperm motility by increasing antioxidant mechanisms and controlling lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: M. Rossi, R. Gonzalez-Castro, M.E. Falomo Source Type: research

Seminal Plasma: DNA Integrity and Membrane Functionality in Equine Spermatozoa Cooled at 5 °C
Seminal plasma is the fluid produced in the rete testis, epididymis and, the accessory sex glands. It helps in the transport and protection of the sperm through the male reproductive tract. However concentrations above 20% of the seminal plasma in semen extenders cause deleterious effects on equine sperm such as decreasing the motility and the fertilization rates [1]. It has been shown seminal plasma damages the DNA and membrane and compromises the sperm quality [2] but there is no reported data about the effects of high levels of seminal plasma in the semen extender. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: M.F. Rodrigues, J.M. Trentin, L.A.M. Centeno, G.A. Pessoa, R.C. Mattos, L.M. Richer, A.P. Neves, M.I.B. Rubin Source Type: research

Superoxide Anion Is Reduced in Gradient Selected Cryopreserved Stallion Semen Despite High Mitochondrial Potential
This study aimed to compare cryopreserved stallion before (Control) and after single-layer gradient centrifugation (top layer {TL} vs. bottom layer {BL}, presumably composed by sperm with inferior and superior quality, respectively) by assessing sperm motility parameters, plasma membrane destabilization (PMD), high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMP) and SO concentration. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: C.P. Freitas-Dell ’Aqua, P.N. Guasti, F.O. Papa, I.F. Canisso, J.A. Dell’Aqua Junior Source Type: research

Effects of Implants Containing the GnRH Agonist Deslorelin on Seminal Characteristics and Reproductive Hormones in Shetland Stallions
Suppression of reproductive functions in stallions can be of interest for population control in feral horses, for prevention of sexual or aggressive behavior and to eliminate equine arteritis virus in stallions with virus persistence. One approach to suppress reproductive activity is the downregulation of GnRH receptors by continuous exposure to exogenous GnRH agonists such as deslorelin. Deslorelin implants have been developed for long-term depression of fertility and sexual behaviour in male dogs. (Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science)
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: C. Gautier, K. Schmidt, J. Aurich, C. Aurich Source Type: research

The Effect of Different Antibiotics on Sperm Quality and Antimicrobial Activity in Cool-stored Stallion Semen
Semen extenders contain antibiotics to minimize bacterial growth. The efficacy of new-generation antibiotics at controlling bacteria growth without impairing sperm quality has not been reported. The aims of this study were to evaluate: 1) the effect of 4 different antibiotics or antibiotic combinations (potassium penicillin G + amikacin disulfate, ticarcillin – clavulanate, piperacillin – tazobactam, or meropenem) on sperm quality in cool-stored semen; and 2) the efficacy of these antibiotics on bacterial growth in extended semen non-spiked (commensal bacteria) or spiked with potentially pathogenic bacteria (Klebsiella...
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: C. Hern ández-Avilés, C.C. Love, S. Ghosh, R. Serafini, S.R. Teague, K.A. LaCaze, T.L. Blanchard, D.D. Varner Source Type: research

Effect of Sperm Concentration of the Frozen Ejaculate of Donkeys on Post-thaw Semen Quality
In order to improve sperm bank efficiency and the current protocols for freezing semen in an endangered species such as the Andalusian donkey, we aimed to study the effect of different sperm concentrations in straws during freezing on the quality of frozen-thawed semen. Ejaculates from 6 donkeys of proven fertility (4-15 years old) were used for this study. A total of two ejaculates per stallion were frozen according to standard protocol: initial dilution of semen in extender (INRA 96, IMV, France) at 50x106/ml, the semen was split between 6 conical tubes and centrifuged (600 × g) for 10 min at room temperature. (Source: ...
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: V. Gomez-Arrones, J.J. Carrasco, G. Gaitskell-Phillips, F.J. Pe ña, C Ortega Ferrusola Source Type: research

Equine Sperm Selection by Colloidal Centrifugation, Swim-up and a Microfluidic Device and ICSI Outcome
Sorting techniques are used to select sperm for equine intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), with common methods being swim-up and density gradient procedures [1]. Microfluidic devices have been used for the human [2] and equine [3] to sort sperm with improved motility, morphology, viability and DNA integrity. Microfluidic sorting does not require centrifugation, which reduces sperm exposure to reactive oxygen species and potential DNA damage [4,5]. Aims of this study were to compare: 1) stallion sperm parameters before and after sorting using a commercial microfluidic device (MSD), single-layer colloidal centrifugation...
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: R.A. Gonzalez-Castro, J.E. Stokes, E.M. Carnevale Source Type: research

Investigation Into Predictors of Stallion Fertility and Associations With Oxidative Damage
Thoroughbred stallions are selected for breeding based on pedigree and racing success, often with fertility unknown. The outcome of a given breeding cannot be ascertained until 12-14 days post ovulation, meaning a lag in detection of stallion subfertility. Dismount samples are frequently analysed, post-coitus, for sperm concentration and motility, however, such analysis is highly affected by handling techniques. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible biomarkers of fertility in dismount samples, as well as management factors predictive of stallion fertility, allowing for future increased reproductive success....
Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: R.A. Griffin, A. Swegen, J.R. Aitken, Z. Gibb Source Type: research