Evaluation of the variations in spermatological parameters of Arabian stallions according to different periods of breeding season

Authors : Kemal Tuna Olğaç, Mehmet Borga Tirpan

Pages : 1-9

Doi:10.33188/vetheder.1353901

View : 65 | Download : 44

Publication Date : 2024-01-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In this study, determining of the variations on spermatological characteristics of Arabian stallion semen in the different periods of the breeding season is aimed. The periods have been described as the beginning of the season (BS: 15th February – 15th March), mid-season (MS: 15th April – 15th May), and end of the season (ES: 30th May – 30th June). A total of 7 Arabian stallions that were 5-10 years old, with body condition scores between 3-3.5 and without any problems in terms of general and reproductive health, were enrolled in the study. In total, three semen samples were collected from each stallion, once in each period. Then, these samples were evaluated in terms of volume, concentration, total motility (TMOT), progressive motility (PMOT), viability, high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP), acrosome integrity (AI), capacitation index (Ci), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) parameters, which were analyzed by computer assisted sperm analysis and flowcytometry devices. As a result, the differences in volume, concentration, TMOT, and PMOT between the BS, MS, and ES periods were statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The lowest viability values were determined in the BS period (p<0.001). The highest values of the HMMP were obtained in the MS (p<0.05). The AI results were higher in the ES period than the others (p<0.05). While the Ci (p<0.01) and LP (p<0.001) parameters had the highest values in the BS period, a gradual decrease has been observed until the ES period. In conclusion, it has been observed that the best semen quality can be obtained in the period of MS (15 April – 15 May) for young (5-10) aged Arabian stallions breeding in Türkiye.
Keywords : Akış sitometri, Arap aygırı, aşım sezonu, bilgisayar yardımlı sperma analizi, sperma kalitesi