Cool-stored and frozen-thawed stallion semen: thoughts on collection, evaluation, processing, insemination, and fertility

Abstract

Semen evaluation is a fundamental part of breeding soundness examination of males, including stallions. New technologies have been implemented in both the research arena and clinical practice for analysis of stallion sperm; therefore, theriogenologists and general equine practitioners should become familiar with principles, technical advantages, and limitations of each of these assays. More importantly is the interpretation of results and its translation to clinical situations. Common methods used for storage of stallion sperm (e.g. cooled storage or freezing/thawing) can affect tests that should be performed when establishing quality and potential fertility of a semen sample. The present document describes routine semen analysis assays performed at the author’s laboratory when determining sperm quality and potential fertility of stallions.