Management and fertility of mares bred with frozen semen. 2001

J C Samper
Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. jsamper@vet.ksu.edu

Semen quality, mare status and mare management during estrus will have the greatest impact on pregnancy rates when breeding mares with frozen semen. If semen quality is not optimal, mare selection and reproductive management are crucial in determining the outcome. In addition to mare selection, client communication is a key factor in a frozen semen program. Old maiden mares and problem mares should be monitored for normal cyclicity and all, except young maidens, should have at least a uterine culture and cytology performed. Mares with positive bacterial cultures and cytologies should be treated at least three consecutive days when in estrus with the proper antibiotic. With frozen semen, timing the ovulation is highly desirable in order to reduce the interval between breeding and ovulation. The use of ovulation inducing agents such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or the GnRH analogue, deslorelin, are critical components to accurately time the insemination with frozen semen. Most hCG treated mares ovulate 48h post-treatment (12-72h) while most deslorelin (Ovuplant) treated mares ovulate 36-42h post-treatment. However, mares bred more than once during the breeding cycle appear to have a slight but consistent increase in pregnancy rate compared to mares bred only once pre- or post-ovulation. In addition, the "capacitation-like" changes inflicted on the sperm during the process of freezing and thawing appear to be responsible for the shorter longevity of cryopreserved sperm. Therefore, breeding closer to ovulation should increase the fertility for most stallions with frozen semen. Recent evidence would suggest that breeding close to the uterotubal junction increases the sperm numbers in the oviduct increasing the chances of pregnancy. Post-breeding examinations aid in determining ovulation and uterine fluid accumulations so that post-breeding therapies can be instituted if needed. Average pregnancy rates per cycle of mares bred with frozen semen are between 30 and 40% with a wide range between sires. Stallion and mare status are major factors in determining the success of frozen semen inseminations. Pregnancy rates are lower for barren and old maiden mares as well as those mares treated for uterine infections during the same cycle of the insemination. To maximize fertility with frozen semen, a careful selection of the stallions and mares, with proper client communication is critical. Dedication and commitment of mare owner and inseminator will have the most significant impact on the pregnancy rates.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007315 Insemination, Artificial Artificial introduction of SEMEN or SPERMATOZOA into the VAGINA to facilitate FERTILIZATION. Artificial Insemination,Eutelegenesis,Artificial Inseminations,Eutelegeneses,Inseminations, Artificial
D007987 Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone A decapeptide that stimulates the synthesis and secretion of both pituitary gonadotropins, LUTEINIZING HORMONE and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE. GnRH is produced by neurons in the septum PREOPTIC AREA of the HYPOTHALAMUS and released into the pituitary portal blood, leading to stimulation of GONADOTROPHS in the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND. FSH-Releasing Hormone,GnRH,Gonadoliberin,Gonadorelin,LH-FSH Releasing Hormone,LHRH,Luliberin,Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone,Cystorelin,Dirigestran,Factrel,Gn-RH,Gonadorelin Acetate,Gonadorelin Hydrochloride,Kryptocur,LFRH,LH-RH,LH-Releasing Hormone,LHFSH Releasing Hormone,LHFSHRH,FSH Releasing Hormone,Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone,LH FSH Releasing Hormone,LH Releasing Hormone,Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone,Releasing Hormone, LHFSH
D008297 Male Males
D010062 Ovulation Induction Techniques for the artifical induction of ovulation, the rupture of the follicle and release of the ovum. Ovarian Stimulation,Ovarian Stimulations,Stimulation, Ovarian,Stimulations, Ovarian
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D004791 Enzyme Inhibitors Compounds or agents that combine with an enzyme in such a manner as to prevent the normal substrate-enzyme combination and the catalytic reaction. Enzyme Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Enzyme,Inhibitors, Enzyme
D005260 Female Females
D005298 Fertility The capacity to conceive or to induce conception. It may refer to either the male or female. Fecundity,Below Replacement Fertility,Differential Fertility,Fecundability,Fertility Determinants,Fertility Incentives,Fertility Preferences,Fertility, Below Replacement,Marital Fertility,Natural Fertility,Subfecundity,World Fertility Survey,Determinant, Fertility,Determinants, Fertility,Fertility Determinant,Fertility Incentive,Fertility Preference,Fertility Survey, World,Fertility Surveys, World,Fertility, Differential,Fertility, Marital,Fertility, Natural,Preference, Fertility,Preferences, Fertility,Survey, World Fertility,Surveys, World Fertility,World Fertility Surveys
D006063 Chorionic Gonadotropin A gonadotropic glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by the PLACENTA. Similar to the pituitary LUTEINIZING HORMONE in structure and function, chorionic gonadotropin is involved in maintaining the CORPUS LUTEUM during pregnancy. CG consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is virtually identical to the alpha subunits of the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH, and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity (CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN, BETA SUBUNIT, HUMAN). Chorionic Gonadotropin, Human,HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin),Biogonadil,Choriogonadotropin,Choriogonin,Chorulon,Gonabion,Human Chorionic Gonadotropin,Pregnyl,Gonadotropin, Chorionic,Gonadotropin, Human Chorionic
D006736 Horses Large, hoofed mammals of the family EQUIDAE. Horses are active day and night with most of the day spent seeking and consuming food. Feeding peaks occur in the early morning and late afternoon, and there are several daily periods of rest. Equus caballus,Equus przewalskii,Horse, Domestic,Domestic Horse,Domestic Horses,Horse,Horses, Domestic

Related Publications

J C Samper
January 1987, Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement,
J C Samper
January 1987, Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement,
J C Samper
January 1972, Acta veterinaria Scandinavica,
J C Samper
January 1982, Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement,
J C Samper
January 1971, Journal of reproduction and fertility,
J C Samper
October 1975, Journal of reproduction and fertility. Supplement,
J C Samper
June 1978, Cryobiology,
J C Samper
April 1979, Australian journal of biological sciences,
J C Samper
August 2005, Theriogenology,
J C Samper
October 1976, Australian journal of biological sciences,
Copied contents to your clipboard!