Effects of equine seminal plasma on fertility and impacts on reproductive biotechnologies: a comprehensive review
Keywords:
Stallion, sperm, ejaculate, cryopreservation, fertility
Abstract
Stallion fertility is crucial for the equine industry, yet selection of stallions focuses on phenotypical, temperamental, and performance traits, with limited attention to reproductive performance. Seminal plasma is composed of fluids from the testes, epididymis, and accessory glands; it has a central role in sperm survival and preservation by providing energy, antioxidants, and proteins. Biochemical composition of seminal plasma, including specific proteins and enzymes, can affect sperm quality and cryopreservation success. Literature presents conflicting views on the effects of maintaining, removing, or adding seminal plasma after cryopreservation. Individual variations in seminal plasma composition can have substantial impact on stallion fertility and predict the success of these biotechnologies.
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References
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4. de Oliveira RA, Aurich C: Aspects of breeding stallion management with specific focus on animal welfare. J Equine Vet Sci 2021;107:103773. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103773
5. Oliveira SN, de Araújo EAB, Silva LFMC, et al: Fractionated semen collection as a diagnostic tool for reproductive pathologies. Equine Vet J 2021;34:607–614. doi: 10.1111/eve.13584
6. Egyptien S, Deleuze S, Ledeck J, et al: Sperm quality assessment in stallions: how to choose relevant assays to answer clinical questions. Animals (Basel) 2023;13:3123. doi: 10.3390/ani13193123
7. Wilson M, Williams J, Monstrose VT, et al: Variance in stallion semen quality among equestrian sporting disciplines and competition levels. Animals (Basel) 2019;9:485. doi: 10.3390/ani9080485
8. Hernández-Avíles C, Love C: Prebreeding/prepurchase examination of the stallion: testicular ultrasonography, semen evaluation, and considerations. Clinical Theriogenology 2021;133:289–298. doi: 10.58292/ct.v13.9102
9. Pagl R, Aurich JE, Müller-Schlösser F, et al: Comparison of an extender containing defined milk protein fractions with a skim milk-based extender for storage of equine semen at 5 degrees Cº. Theriogenology 2006;66:1115–1122. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.03.006
10. Kowalczyk A, Czerniawska-Piątkowska E, Kuczaj M: Factors influencing the popularity of artificial insemination of mares in Europe. Animals 2019;9:460. doi: 10.3390/ani9070460
11. Sielhorst J, Hagen C, Behrendt D, et al: Effect of multiple freezing of stallion sperm on sperm quality and fertility. J Equine Vet Sci 2016;40:56–61. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.01.014
12. Jhamb D, Talluri TR, Sharma S, et al: Freezability and fertility rates of stallion semen supplemented with trehalose in lactose extender. J Equine Vet Sci 2023;126:104293. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104293
13. Magistrini M, Lindeberg H, Koskinen E, et al: Biophysical and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy characteristics of fractionated stallion ejaculates. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 2000;56:101–110. PMID: 20681121
14. Kareskoski M, Katila T: Components of stallion seminal plasma and the effects of seminal plasma on sperm longevity. Anim Reprod Sci 2008;107:249–256. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.04.013
15. Gamboa S, Francisco M, Gomes P, et al: Level of glycolyzable substrates in stallion semen: effect of ejaculation frequency on sperm survival after cool storage during the nonbreeding season. J Equine Vet Sci 2011;31:109–115. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.12.011
16. Komarek R, Pickett BW, Gibson EW, et al: Composition of lipids in stallion semen. J Reprod Fertil 1966;10:337–342. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0100337
17. Fiala-Rechsteiner S, Bueno VLC, Barros E, et al: Proteomic profile of stallion seminal plasma. J Equine Vet Sci 2023;125:104587. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104587
18. Alghamdi AS, Fedorka CE, Scoggin KE, et al: Binding of equine seminal lactoferrin/superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) complex is biased towards dead spermatozoa. Animals 2023;13(1):52. doi: 10.3390/ani13010052
19. Gautier C, Barrier-Battut I, Guénon I, et al: Implication of the estrogen receptors GPER, ESR1, ESR2 in post-testicular maturations of equine spermatozoa. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016;233:100–108. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.05.022
20. Usuga A, Rojano B, Restrepo G: Effect of seminal plasma components on the quality of fresh and cryopreserved stallion semen. J Equine Vet Sci 2017;58:103–111. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.09.005
21. Waheed MM, Meligy A, Alhaider AK, et al: Relation of seminal plasma trace mineral in the Arabian Stallion’s semen with the semen characteristics and subsequent fertility. Heliyon 2022;8:e1128. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11128
22. Yanagimachi R: Male gamete contributions to the embryo. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2005;1061:203–207. doi: 10.1196/annals.1336.022
23. Gervasi MG, Visconti PE: Molecular changes and signaling events occurring in sperm during epididymal maturation. Andrology 2017;5:204–218. doi: 10.1111/andr.12320
24. Dacheux JL, Gatti JL, Dacheux F: Contribution of epididymal secretory proteins for spermatozoa maturation. Microsc Res Tech 2003;61:7–17. doi: 10.1002/jemt.10312
25. Rodríguez H, Bustos-Obregón E: Seasonal and epididymal maturation of stallion spermatozoa. Andrologia 1994:26:161–164. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1994.tb00781.x
26. Leemans B, Stout TAE, De Schauwer C, et al: Update on mammalian sperm capacitation: how much does the horse differ from other species? Reproduction 2019;157:R181–R197.
27. Tischner M, Kosiniak K, Bielański W: Analysis of the pattern of ejaculation in stallions. J Reprod Fertil 1974;41:329–335. doi: 10.1530/REP-18-0541
28. Ionata LM, Anderson TM, Pickett BW, et al: Effect of supplementary sexual preparation on semen characteristics of stallions. Theriogenology 1991:36:923–937. doi: 10.1016/0093-691X(91)90318-8
29. Gatti JL, Castella S, Dacheux F, et al: Post-testicular sperm environment and fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2004;82:321–339. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.05.011
30. Töpfer-Petersen E, Ekhlasi-Undrieser M, Kirchhoff C, et al: The role of stallion seminal proteins in fertilization. Anim Reprod Sci 2005;89:159–170. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.06.018
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Published
2025-10-31
How to Cite
da Silva , T., Silva , S., Marlière , J., & Waddington , B. (2025). Effects of equine seminal plasma on fertility and impacts on reproductive biotechnologies: a comprehensive review. Clinical Theriogenology, 17. https://doi.org/10.58292/CT.v17.13214
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Review Reports
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