Abstract
BackgroundPregnancy rates with cooled equine semen can be unsatisfactory and show great variation. Information about first cycle pregnancy rates and pregnancy rates per cycle are often lacking from publicly available records. This retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the fertility of the Norwegian Coldblooded trotter. The aim of the study was to compare the breeding results after insemination with fresh, extended with those of cooled, shipped semen among Norwegian Coldblooded trotter mares. First cycle pregnancy rate was the main parameter used to measure fertility. Stud-books were collected from four studs from the years 2006–2010. Statistical analyses were done in Stata using Chi square test and multivariable analyses where different models were compared based on Akaike’s information criterion.ResultsFirst cycle pregnancy rate, seasonal pregnancy rate and foaling rate all showed significant differences (P < 0.0001) when comparing mares inseminated at stud with mares inseminated with cooled, shipped semen, favoring artificial insemination (AI) at stud. First cycle pregnancy rate was 55.1 % for mares inseminated at stud with fresh extended semen and 42.2 % for mares inseminated with cooled shipped semen. The overall pregnancy rate per cycle was 84.4 % for AI at stud and 66.9 % for cooled, shipped semen. The parameters stud, mare age, number of inseminations within an estrus cycle and individual stallion were also investigated for influence on fertility.ConclusionsFew retrospective studies include the parameter of first cycle pregnancy rates. Our study does not differ dramatically when comparing seasonal pregnancy rates and foaling rates with similar studies. Fertility parameters for the Norwegian Coldblooded trotter do not differ significantly from most other studies of Coldblooded mares and other mare breeds around the world. But the difference in fertility parameters between AI at stud to AI with cooled semen between our study and others, indicates that higher pregnancy rates in Norwegian Coldblooded trotter may be possible.
Highlights
Pregnancy rates with cooled equine semen can be unsatisfactory and show great variation
Artificial insemination (AI) on stud with fresh extended semen was reportedly used in 1257 breeding episodes and AI with cooled, shipped semen was reported in 555 breeding episodes
Seasonal pregnancy rate and foaling rate First cycle pregnancy rate, seasonal pregnancy rate and foaling rate all showed significant differences (P < 0.0001) when comparing mares inseminated at stud with mares inseminated with cooled, shipped semen, favoring AI at stud (Table 1)
Summary
Pregnancy rates with cooled equine semen can be unsatisfactory and show great variation. Information about first cycle pregnancy rates and pregnancy rates per cycle are often lacking from publicly available records This retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the fertility of the Norwegian Coldblooded trotter. The aim of the study was to compare the breeding results after insemination with fresh, extended with those of cooled, shipped semen among Norwegian Coldblooded trotter mares. Available records regarding equine fertility provide information on annual foaling rates for reported matings, first cycle pregnancy rates and pregnancy rates per cycle are lacking. Several studies have compared fertility results between fresh, cooled and frozen semen; rates reported are mainly based on studies conducted in single or a few stud practices, which may limit the applicability and comparative value of the findings. The fertility status of the Coldblooded trotter in Norway is generally assumed to be good, systematic investigations are unavailable
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