Optimizing the use of frozen-thawed equine semen.
This manuscript is a review of current protocols, advantages, and disadvantages of breeding mares with frozen-thawed equine semen. Issues affecting pregnancy rates are discussed, including proper mare selection, induction of ovulation, insemination dose, timing of insemination (single-dose versus multiple-dose insemination), methods of insemination (transrectal-guided deep-horn versus hysteroscopic insemination), and post-insemination mare management procedures. In a retrospective analysis of breeding records, a single-dose of frozen-thawed semen was inseminated within 6h post-ovulation; the pregnancy rate (14-16 days after AI) was 67 of 149 (45%). These results were comparable to those previously achieved under commercial conditions, as well as previous studies using multiple doses of frozen-thawed semen per estrous cycle. In conclusion, these data provided evidence that, with appropriate breeding management, an acceptable pregnancy rate can be achieved in mares with a single-dose of frozen-thawed semen (per-cycle) inseminated within 6h after ovulation.
Equine Medical Center of Ocala, 7107 West Highway 326, Ocala, FL 34482, USA. CMi047690@aol.com
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D000818:Animals; D005615:Freezing; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology