Work

Repeatability of Selected Parameters Related to Stallion Sperm Quality and Cryotolerance

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated the repeatability of selected sperm parameters in Salernitano stallions housed on the same farm. Semen was collected weekly for four weeks, and sperm kinetics, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative/nitrosative status were assessed before and after freezing the sperm with HF-20 and INRA Freeze. Pre-freezing, significant individual variability was observed, with low repeatability for semen volume (r = 0.32), total motility (r = 0.38), curvilinear velocity (r = 0.32), and lipoperoxidation (r = 0.36). Post-thaw, sperm frozen with INRA Freeze showed significant inter-stallion differences and low-to-moderate repeatability across kinematic parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential, nitric oxide, and lipoperoxidation, whereas those frozen with HF-20 showed repeatability only for progressive motility and intracellular H2O2. An assessment of freezability revealed significant inter-stallion variability and low-to-moderate repeatability for most kinematic traits in sperm frozen with INRA Freeze. Age influenced specific parameters in both fresh and frozen–thawed semen. Kinematic traits were strongly intercorrelated and associated with mitochondrial activity, as well as with lipoperoxidation, the latter being significantly related to H2O2 and nitric oxide levels. Although the overall post-thaw differences between extenders were not statistically significant, INRA Freeze enabled clearer discrimination among stallions. The generally low-to-moderate repeatability observed in this study suggests that extender choice can influence cryopreservation outcomes, and supports the need for tailored protocols.

Source: Animals

DOI: 10.3390/ani15192805

Authors: Raffaele Boni, Raffaella Ruggiero, Felisia De Luca, Maria Lucia Serritella, Tommaso Di Palma, Stefano Cecchini Gualandi

Institution: University of Basilicata

Language: English

Topic: Sperm and Testicular Function

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896