Assessment of semen quality of breeding stallions of the Russian trotter breed

Relevance. The development of horse breeding in Kyrgyzstan requires objective methods for assessing the reproductive potential of stallions. Automated sperm analysis enhances the efficiency of breeding selection and artificial insemination.

Methods. The study was conducted at the “Rial” stud farm (Chuy Region, Kyrgyzstan). Three Russian trotter stallions were examined: Landysh (19 years), Argamak (16 years), and Alyans (16 years). Ejaculate quality was assessed visually, by microscopy, and using an SQV-V automated sperm analyzer (Israel) at the Intelmed laboratory (Bishkek). Volume, color, pH, concentration, motility, morphology, and motility dynamics during storage (1, 3, and 6 hours at 37 °C) were evaluated.

Results. Ejaculate volume ranged from 30.8 to 76.0 mL, concentration — 0.298–0.500 billion/mL. The proportion of live spermatozoa after 1 hour was 60–75%, and abnormal forms — 8–24%. After 3 hours of storage, motility decreased by 5–7%, after 6 hours — by 12–14%. The greatest decrease (14% by the 6th hour) was recorded in stallion Alyans. The Farris index (2170–9100) exceeded the minimum acceptable threshold for cryopreservation. Semen from all three stallions is suitable for artificial insemination and cryopreservation. The high Farris index and acceptable level of abnormal sperm forms support the recommendation of these sires for a genetic resource cryobank.

1. Sydykbekov K., Abdurasulov A.Kh. State of horse breeding and measurements of the Novokyrgyz horses. Journal of Osh State University. Agriculture: agronomy, veterinary and zootechnics. 2023; (1): 147–152 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.52754/16948696_2023_1_17

2. Politova M.A. State and prospects of external economic activity in Russian horse breeding in 2015–2023. Agrarian science. 2024; (1): 123–127 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.32634/0869-8155-2024-378-1-123-127

3. Farkhutdinov K.D., Imasheva A.R. Dairy productivity of horses, the formation of dairy productivity, the relationship with the phenotype and genotype of horses. Mezhdunarodnyy studencheskiy nauchnyy vestnik. 2025; (3): 56 (in Russian).EDN OBIKAM

4. Bazaron B.Z., Khamiruyev T.N., Dashinimayev S.M. Improving the productive qualities of the Transbaikal horse. Prospects for the development of horse breeding in Kazakhstan and neighboring countries. Proceedings of the international scientific and practical conference. Pavlodar: Toraighyrov University. 2025; 41–45 (in Russian).EDN OAEGMY

5. Rengach S.O., Karelin A.S., Fedosova O.A. Changes in the exterior of horses in the process of evolution. Prospects for the development of veterinary medicine, animal science, and biotechnology. Proceedings of the All-Russian scientific and practical conference. Ryazan: Ryazan State Agrotechnological University named after P.A. Kostychev. 2025; 78–84 (in Russian).EDN OFXJSV

6. Isakova Zh. T. et al. Genetic portrait of Kyrgyz horse. Konevodstvo i konny sport. 2018; (1): 21–22 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.25727/HS.2018.1.19768

7. Isakova Z.T. et al. Phylogenetic Analysis of Kyrgyz Horse Using 17 Microsatellite Markers. Russian Journal of Genetics. 2019; 55(1): 100–104.https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795419010071

8. Kargaeyeva M.T. et al. Formation of meat productivity of Kazakh horses of the Adai offspring. Agrarian science. 2021; (9): 47–51 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.32634/0869-8155-2021-352-9-47-51

9. Simeanu D., Matei M. Farming Factors’ Influence on Animal Production. Agriculture. 2025; 15(13): 1346.https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131346

10. Alimardonov A.Sh., Safarov M.M. The effectiveness of artificial insemination in horse breeding. Agrarian science. 2020; (1): 31–33 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.32634/0869-8155-2020-334-1-31-33

11. Vyalkova M.D., Gavrilov B.V. New techniques in artificial insemination of horses. Scientific support for the agro-industrial complex. Collection of articles based on the materials of the 78th scientific and practical conference of students on the results of R&D for 2022. Krasnodar: Kuban State Agrarian University. 2023; 1: 345–347 (in Russian).EDN LLHTHN

12. Sinikidi M.D., Rodin I.A. New directions in artificial insemination of mares. Scientific support for the agro-industrial complex. Collection of articles based on the materials of the 77th scientific and practical conference of students on the results of R&D for 2021. Krasnodar: Kuban State Agrarian University. 2022; 1: 457–460 (in Russian).EDN MMTCME

13. Dikushina K.A., Popovich S.O., Chepushtanova O.V. Artificial insemination technology for mares. Priority areas for the development of agricultural science and technology. Collection of abstracts of the scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering. Yekaterinburg: Ural State Agrarian University. 2024; 1: 342–344 (in Russian).EDN ERNUTK

14. Lebedeva L.F., Atroshchenko M.M., Burmistrova S.A. Main factors affecting mare insemination with cryopreserved domestic and foreign sperm. Agricultural Biology. 2015; (4): 476–485.https://doi.org/10.15389/agrobiology.2015.4.476eng

15. Romanova A.I., Atroshchenko M.M., Frolova N.A., Shirokova O.V. Superoxide dismutase activity in seminal plasma and semen quality of stallions. Scientific notes Kazan Bauman State Academy of Veterinary Medicine. 2024; 258: 171–175 (in Russian).EDN HULIHE

16. Catalán J. et al. Impact of Seminal Plasma Antioxidants on DNA Fragmentation and Lipid Peroxidation of Frozen–Thawed Horse Sperm. Antioxidants. 2024; 13(3): 322.https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030322

17. Khan M.Z. et al. Determinant genetic markers of semen quality in livestock. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2024; 15: 1456305.https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1456305

18. Maksimova М., Korochkina Е. Sperm cryoresistance of different animal species. Genetics and breeding of animals. 2023; (4): 127134 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.31043/2410-2733-2023-4-127-134

19. Nikitkina E.V. The genetic basis of the sperm quality of stallions. International Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 2023; (4): 413–420 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.52419/issn2072-2419.2023.4.413

20. Naumenkova V.A., Atroshchenko M.M., Gulov A.N., Shirokova O.V., Frolova N.A. Comparison of assessment of the membrane integrity stallionsperm using of different methods. Russian Agricultural Sciences. 2020; (3): 45–48 (in Russian).https://doi.org/10.31857/S2500262720030114

21. Khrabrova L., Naumenkova V., Atroshchenko M. Antigenic composition of blood group systems and sperm quality of stallion of different breeds. Genetics and breeding of animals. 2020; (2): 3–9 (in Russian).EDN ERYQEH

22. Toktosunov B., Khegay S., Isakunov A.M., Abdurasulov A. The morphological and genetic characteristics of Kyrgyz horses. Journal of Osh State University. Agriculture: agronomy, veterinary and zootechnics. 2025; (2): 44–60.EDN HGPERT

23. Naumenkova V.A., Bragina E.E., Nikitkina E.V. Resistance of stallion’s sperm to freezing due to introduction of SkQ1 antioxidant to the medium. Agricultural Biology. 2012; 47(2): 64–68 (in Russian).EDN PVWOQV