An Innovative Method for Cryopreservation of Horse Semen

Abstract

The success of the cryopreservation of stallion semen is hindered by the differences between the horses and the variation within the donors’ own performance. Together with quality breeding and the growing need for genetic improvement of the breeds a predictable, stable cryopreservation protocol is demanded by the industry. Attempts are made to individualise cryopreservation protocols for each stud. On the other hand, emerging techniques augmenting the cryopreservation protocols may improve the output. Such a technique is semen preconditioning, performed as part of the semen preparation protocol, before the freezing step. The positive effect of preconditioning treatment with the use of hydrostatic pressure (PTAT treatment – Pressure Triggered Acquisition of Tolerance) has been well documented in bovine and mouse embryos and porcine and bovine semen. In the present report we show that preconditioning treatment of equine semen can be individualized and inserted into the routine cryopreservation protocol.