EQUINE | Abstracts
EQUINE | Abstracts
Abstracts
Relationships among stallion fertility and semen traits using estimated breeding values of German Warmblood stallions .
Gottschalk M , et al . Theriogenology . 2017 .
Abstract
A high quality of stallion semen is of particular importance for maximum reproductive efficiency . In the present study , we estimated the relationships among estimated breeding values ( EBVs ) of semen traits and EBVs for the paternal component of the pregnancy rate per estrus cycle ( EBV-PAT ) for 100 German Warmblood stallions using correlation and general linear model analyses .
The most highly correlated sperm quality trait was total number of progressively motile sperm ( r = 0.36 ). EBV-PAT was considered in three classes with stallions 1 SD below (< 80 ), around ( 80-120 ), and above (> 120 ) the population mean of 100 . The general linear model analysis showed significant effects for EBVs of all semen traits . EBVs of sperm quality traits greater than 100 to 110 were indicative for EBV-PAT greater than 120 .
Recommendations for breeding soundness examinations on the basis of the assessments of sperm quality traits and estimation of breeding values seem to be an option to support breeders to improve stallion fertility in the present and future stallion generation .
Elevated serum amyloid A levels in cases of aborted equine fetuses due to fetal and placental infections .
Erol E , et al . Theriogenology . 2016 .
Abstract
Determination of fetal serum amyloid A ( SAA ) concentrations in aborted fetuses can provide valuable information regarding the infectious and / or inflammatory process of abortion in horses . To investigate the relationship between fetal SAA levels and the infectious / inflammatory disease process in feto-placental tissues , a SAA ELISA was used to test heart serum samples of 89 equine fetuses that were necropsied and diagnosed in the following groups : a multiorgan disease process diagnosed with an identified microorganism ( 14 cases , group 1 ); only placentitis diagnosed with an identified microorganism ( nine cases , group 2 ); only placentitis diagnosed with no microorganism identified ( six cases , group 3 ); and no infectious or inflammatory disease process diagnosed ( 60 cases , group 4 ). Serum amyloid A concentrations in equine fetuses were elevated from 10.5 to ≥40 mg / L in 10 of 14 cases in group 1 ; and from less than 2.5 mg / L to greater than 40 mg / L in seven of nine cases in group 2 . In group 3 , SAA concentrations were found to be less than 2.5 mg / L in five of six cases . In group 4 , SAA concentrations were less than 2.5 mg / L in 55 cases , whereas in five cases SAA concentrations were elevated . Statistical significant differences were found between the concentrations of SAA in fetal horse blood and the presence of infectious and / or inflammatory disease process in the feto-placental tissues when
• Volume 19 no 1 • February 2017 • 35