The effect of oxytocin and prostaglandin hormones added tosemen on stallion sperm quality

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and oxytocin have been used to improve reproductive performance in many mammalian species, including humans. The aim of the present study was to determine their effects on sperm quality when extended stallion semen was enriched with PGF2α or oxytocin. In this study, 16 healthy adult stallions, each 15-22 years old, were used. Five ejaculates from each stallion were collected with an artificial vagina during breeding season. Thereafter, gel-free semen was divided into 7 aliquots and diluted with an INRA96 semen extender. The following different treatments were evaluated: 3 with only PGF2α (10, 20, and 40 μg/mL) and 3 with only oxytocin (2, 3, and 4 IU/mL). Sperm quality was evaluated before and after applying the different treatments. In vitro addition of oxytocin to semen did not show improvement in any of the sperm quality parameters measured. However, sperm supplementation with 40 μg of PGF2α caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in diluted semen motility. We concluded that the addition of PGF2α to elder stallions' semen may help maintain sperm motility. Future research might assess the effects of PGF2α on fertility. Our results were based on in vitro evaluations, and thus further fertility trials are required.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Oxytocin, prostaglandin, semen, stallion

The effect of oxytocin and prostaglandin hormones added tosemen on stallion sperm quality

Keywords:

Oxytocin, prostaglandin, semen, stallion,

PDF

___

Davies Morel MCG. Equine Reproductive Physiology, Breeding and Stud Management. 3rd ed. Wallingford, UK: CABI Publishing; 2008.
Kutvölgyi G. Development of Qualification of Fresh and Frozen Stallion Semen, Investigation of Factors Affecting Sperm Quality Using a New Evaluation Method. Kaposvar, Hungary: Kaposvar Universty; 2012.
Samper JC. Equine Breeding Management and Artificial Insemination. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA, USA: W.B. Sanders Company; 2000.
Traas AM, Kustritz MV. Effect of administrating oxytocin or prostaglandin F2α on characteristic of the canine ejaculate. Can Vet J 2004; 45: 999–1002.
Ibrahim M. Influence of oxytocin and prostaglandin on semen characteristics and process of ejaculation in buffalo bulls. Acta Vet Hung 1988; 82: 3–10.
McCracken JA. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes. In: Shlomo M, editor. Endocrinology: Basic and Clinical Principles. 2nd ed. Totowa, NJ, USA: Humana; 2005. pp. 93–94.
O’Bert H, Harris MA, Arns MJ. Prostaglandin F2α concentrations in stallion semen and the effect of 24 h of cold storage on exogenous prostaglandin F2α concentrations. Anim Reprod Sci 2006; 94: 39–41.
Maes DGD, Mateusen B, Rijsselaere T, De Vliegher S, Van Soom A, de Kruif A. Motility characteristics of boar spermatozoa after addition of prostaglandin F2α. Theriogenology 2003; 60: 1435–1443.
Karahan İ, Türk G, Gür S. In vitro effects of prostaglandin F2α and metamizol on the motility of diluted bull semen. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 2006; 30: 271–278.
Watson ED, Nikolakopoulos E, Gilbert C, Goode J. Oxytocin in the semen and gonads of the stallion. Theriogenology 1999; 51: 855–865.
Clough CJ, Campbell MLH, Matson T. The effect of inclusion of oxytocin in semen extender on spermatozoa motility. Anim Reprod Sci 2006; 94: 132–134.
Ali R. Effect of Hormone Addition (PGF2 Alpha And Oxytocin) in Semen Extender on Post Thaw Semen Quality and Fertility in Nili Ravi Buffaloes. Islamabad, Pakistan: National Agricultural Research Centre; 2005.
Fayed AH. Effect of prostaglandin F2α and methylxanthines on enzymic release of bull epididymal spermatozoa in vitro. Contraception 1996; 53: 181–184.
Hess MB. The effects of prostaglandin F2α, oxytocin and gonadotropin releasing hormone on ejaculate characteristics in the dog. MSc, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA, USA, 2002.
Bozkurt T, Türk G, Gür S. Effects of exogenous oxytocin on serologic and seminal steroids and semen characteristics in rams. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 2007; 31: 303–309.
Gibson S, Tempelman RJ, Kirkwood RN. Effect of oxytocin- supplemented semen on fertility of sows bred by intrauterine insemination. J Swine Health Prod 2004; 12: 182–185.
Duzinski K, Knecht D, Gajewczyk P. Effect of oxytocin treatment on the reproductive performance of sows after artificial insemination with liquid semen. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 2013; 37: 575–581.
Çiftci HB. In-vitro effect of oxytocin on the duration of sperm motility and morphology. J Anim Vet Adv 2005; 4: 794–797.
Penrod L, Adams K, Arns MJ. The influence of exogenous prostaglandin F2α on spermatozoa motility and fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2006; 94: 36–38.
Pandur DI, Pacala N. sperm motility after the addition of prostaglandin F2α to the Landrace boar diluted semen. Animal Sciences and Biotechnologies 2012; 45: 222–225.
Yeste M, Briz M, Pinart E, Sancho S, Garcia-Gil N, Badia E, Bassols J, Pruneda A, Bussalleu E, Casas I et al. Boar spermatozoa and prostaglandin F2α. Quality of boar sperm after the addition of prostaglandin F2α to the short-term extender over cooling time. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 108: 180–195.