Efficiency of Semen Cryopreservation in Stallions

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The quality of stallion semen after freezing and thawing differs among stallions, but it remains to be determined whether such differences are also affected by horse breed. In this study, semen quality was analysed retrospectively in 1012 frozen–thawed ejaculates from 134 stallions of 5 breeds. The percentage of ejaculates acceptable for artificial insemination (AI) and the number of insemination doses per ejaculate was then calculated. Sperm motility before freezing was the most important explanatory variable for the percentage of ejaculates with a post-thaw quality acceptable for AI. Of the other variables studied, stallion age was the most important parameter and a decrease in the percentage of acceptable ejaculates was evident in stallions older than 9 years. There were also more acceptable frozen–thawed ejaculates in Arab stallions compared to Warmbloods, Quarter Horses and Icelandic horses. The analysis thus demonstrates differences in the percentage of acceptable cryopreserved ejaculates among breeds. Total sperm count was the most important variable determining the number of semen doses obtained per acceptable frozen–thawed ejaculate. ABSTRACT: 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.