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REPRODUCTION I
Semen Parameters of the American Miniature
Horse Stallion
Elizabeth S. Metcalf, MS, DVM; William B. Ley, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT;
and Charles C. Love, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT
Semen parameters of normal American Miniature Horse stallions will aid veterinarians in their
ability to predict fertility in stallions of this breed. Authors’ addresses: Honahlee, PC, 14005
Southwest Tooze Rd, Sherwood, OR 97140 (Metcalf); Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veteri-
nary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061 (Ley); and Gainesway Farm, Lexington, KY 40517 (Love). r 1997
AAEP.
1. Introduction consecutive days. The values obtained from these
Interest in the American Miniature Horse has mark- ejaculates were averaged to determine mean semen
edly grown and become widespread during the past parameters.
10 years. Unfortunately, very little published data, Semen concentration was determined with a Den-
specific to this breed, exist in the literature, so that simeter.a The total number of sperm per ejaculate
when presented with a miniature horse stallion, we was calculated by multiplying the concentration
extrapolate information from published studies of times (3) the gel-free volume of semen. Total motil-
other breeds to investigate the case. This study ity, progressive motility, and various components of
was designed to determine normal parameters of motility were obtained by objective motility analysis,
semen quality and testicular size as well as to using the HTM-2000 Motility Analyzer.b Param-
establish normal criteria for evaluating and predict- eters were set as previously described by Jasco et al.1
ing potential fertility in the American Miniature Sperm morphology was subjectively determined by
Horse stallion. evaluating a wet mount of 100 cells preserved in
buffered formalin with an Olympus CH-2 phase-
2. Materials and Methods contrast microscope.c
Twenty-three registered American Miniature Horse A student’s t test was used for the statistical
(AMHA) stallions with a seasonal pregnancy rate of analysis of semen parameters. A Pearson product
.40% had semen collected daily with a modified moment correlation and a linear regression analysis
Colorado-model artificial vagina or were bred daily were used to determine the relationship between
for a minimum of 5 consecutive days in order to flush testicular volume and daily sperm output (DSO).
extragonadal sperm reserves. Following the 5 days, Testicular volume was calculated by measuring
the stallions’ ejaculates were collected on the next 2 the length, height, and width of each testicle, using a
NOTES
202 1997 @ Vol. 43 @ AAEP PROCEEDINGS
Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the AAEP 1997
Reprinted in the IVIS website with the permission of the AAEP Close window to return to IVIS
REPRODUCTION I
5-MHz linear array ultrasound probed and the follow- patients, evaluate specific semen parameters, and
ing formula: predict their potential fertility. In comparison with
other breeds, the normal AMHA stallion has smaller
testicular volume 5 4/3p abc, testicular volume and produces less spermatozoa on
a daily basis. However, sperm motility, morphol-
where ogy, and concentration are comparable with other
a 5 testicular height/2, stallion breeds.3
b 5 testicular width/2, From this study, it appears that a prediction of
c 5 testicular length/22. DSO for a miniature horse stallion, based on testicu-
3. Results lar volume, cannot be performed by using the same
formula used for predicting the DSO of larger breeds.2
From forty-five ejaculates, the following results were Interestingly, miniature horses often express many
obtained. Mean left and right testicular volume dwarflike characteristics; their bodies often appear
were 30.61 cm3 (SD 6 10.8) and 31.91 cm3 disproportionate to their appendages or heads. Their
(SD 6 16.2), respectively. The mean seminal vol- testicles may be no exception, thereby offering a
ume was found to be 17 ml (SD 6 12.6), with the possible explanation for the discrepancy between the
gel-free portion averaging 13.5 ml (SD 6 7.6) Sperm AMHA stallion and other breeds as well as the
concentration ranged 20–700 3 106 sperm/ml, with variability in testicular size with respect to the total
the average being 177.2 3 106 (SD 6 139). The number of sperm per ejaculate within the breed.
average total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate Finally, with the incidence of exposure to equine
was 2.008 3 109. An objective motility analysis of arteritis virus increasing, this study supports cur-
the ejaculates yielded average values for total motil- rent recommendations made by the AAEP to test the
ity, progressive motility, velocity anterior progres- status of all breeding stallions within North America.
sive, rapid velocity, mean curvilinear velocity, mean All breeds are susceptible to this disease and its
straight linear velocity, mean linearity, and mean ramifications.
straightness of 75.6% (SD 6 10.5), 48.8% (SD 6 12.9),
86 µm/s (SD 6 17.2), 73.4% (SD 6 11.4), 132 µm/s This project was supported by The Northwest
(SD 6 16.7), 65.2 µm/s (SD 6 15.9), 50% (SD 6 8.35), Miniature Horse Association and the Equine Re-
and 73.9% (SD 6 6.14). search Foundation at The Virginia-Maryland Re-
In comparison with the same parameters in 7-year- gional College of Veterinary Medicine.
old large breed stallions,3 the total semen volume,
gel volume, gel-free volume, and total number of References and Footnotes
sperm per ejaculate were statistically different 1. Jasco DL, Lein DH, Foote, RH. A comparison of two com-
( p # 0.05), and yet semen concentration and subjec- puter-automated semen analysis instruments for evauation of
tive motility estimates were not different. The cal- sperm motion characteristics in the stallion. J Androl 1990;
culation of DSO for a miniature horse stallion, based 11: 453–459.
2. Love CC, Garcia MC, Riera FR, et al. Evaluation of measures
on testicular volume, cannot be performed by using
taken by ultrasonography and calipers to estimate testicular
the same formula used for predicting the DSO of volume and predict daily sperm output in the stallion. J
larger breeds.2 Repro Fertil 1991; 44(suppl):99–105.
Normal sperm morphology ranged 29–91%, with 3. Picket BW, Voss JL, Bowen RA, et al. Seminal characteristics
67.6% morphologically normal spermatozoa repre- and total scrotal width of normal and abnormal stallions, in
senting the average. The most common abnormali- Proceedings. 33rd Annu Conv Am Assoc Equine Practnr
ties seen were in the midpiece (8.7%), with the 1988;485–518.
presence of proximal droplets constituting 7.8% of
aAnimal Reproduction Systems, 14395 Ramona Ave., Chino, CA
the sperm analyzed.
Exposure to equine arteritis virus was docu- 91710.
bHamilton Thorne Research, P.O. Box 2099, South Hamilton,
mented in 2/23 stallions (8.7%), as their serum
MA 01982.
demonstrated a titer of 1:64.e cRocky Mountain Microscope Inc., 440 Link Ln., Ft. Collins, CO
80524.
4. Discussion dAloka Diagnostic Ultrasound, 10 Fairfield Blvd., Wallingford,
The results of this study, albeit from a relatively CT 06492.
small sample size of only 46 miniature horse stallion eCourtesy of Peter Timoney, DVM, Dept. of Veterinary Science,
ejaculates, represent a means by which to compare 108 Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY 40546-0099.
AAEP PROCEEDINGS @ Vol. 43 / 1997 203
Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the AAEP 1997
