PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF BASIC SEMEN QUALITY PARAMETERS IN STALLIONS WITH POTENTIAL RELEVANCE TO CRYOPRESERVATION

Jozef Berčík; Jakub Vozaf; Lenka Kuželová; Peter Chrenek

doi:10.55251/jmbfs.14413

Authors

Jozef Berčík Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, Nitra, 949 76, Slovak Republic https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0741-9822
Jakub Vozaf Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, Nitra, 949 76, Slovak Republic; NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecká 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6770-0077
Lenka Kuželová AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6522-2750
Peter Chrenek Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, Nitra, 949 76, Slovak Republic; NPPC, Research Institute for Animal Production in Nitra, Hlohovecká 2, Lužianky, 951 41, Slovak Republic

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55251/jmbfs.14413

Keywords:

semen, freezing, CASA, flow cytometry

Abstract

The aim of this preliminary study was to characterize basic semen quality parameters in stallions and to assess their potential relevance to semen cryopreservation. Semen samples were collected from five stallions of different breeds: two stallions of the Slovak national breed Norik of Muráň aged 13 and 20 years (Jantár, Nerot), two stallions of the Slovak national breed Hucul aged 11 and 19 years (Gurgul, Oušor) and one stallion of the Czech national breed Norik Silesian (Reny) aged 5 years. The collected samples were analysed using Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry. Total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM) and sperm functional parameters, including viability, apoptosis (YO-PRO-1) and acrosomal integrity (PNA AF647), were evaluated.

The results showed individual variability among stallions. The highest semen quality was observed in Hucul breed stallions Gurgul and Oušor, with TM values ranging from 85 to 88 % and PM - from 72 to 73 %. In contrast, the stallion Reny exhibited the lowest motility (TM - 48 %, PM - 31 %) and reduced viability. Flow cytometry confirmed that higher motility corresponded with a higher proportion of live (42-87 %) and viable (38-56 %) spermatozoa. However, increased levels of early apoptosis were detected in some stallions with otherwise favourable parameters, indicating possible sublethal cellular damage. The proportion of sperm with damaged acrosomes remained below 2 % in all samples.

In conclusion, the Hucul breed stallions Gurgul and Oušor showed the most favourable sperm quality profiles in this preliminary assessment, suggesting potential suitability for further evaluation of semen cryopreservation, while the Norik Silesian stallion Reny exhibited parameters indicating poor cryopreservation potential. The combination of CASA and flow cytometry provided complementary information on sperm motility, viability and cellular integrity; however, further studies including post-thaw assessment and fertility data are required to determine their predictive value for cryotolerance and reproductive outcome.