Evaluation of the variations in spermatological parameters of Arabian stallions according to different periods of breeding season

Abstract

In this study, determining of the variations on spermatological characteristics of Arabian stallion semen in the different periods of the breeding season is aimed. The periods have been described as the beginning of the season (BS: 15th February – 15th March), mid-season (MS: 15th April – 15th May), and end of the season (ES: 30th May – 30th June). A total of 7 Arabian stallions that were 5-10 years old, with body condition scores between 3-3.5 and without any problems in terms of general and reproductive health, were enrolled in the study. In total, three semen samples were collected from each stallion, once in each period. Then, these samples were evaluated in terms of volume, concentration, total motility (TMOT), progressive motility (PMOT), viability, high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP), acrosome integrity (AI), capacitation index (Ci), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) parameters, which were analyzed by computer assisted sperm analysis and flowcytometry devices. As a result, the differences in volume, concentration, TMOT, and PMOT between the BS, MS, and ES periods were statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The lowest viability values were determined in the BS period (p