Abstract
Nutritional supplements are widely used in the equine industry with the aim of improving horse health, sports or reproductive performances. Over the years, a number of studies have focused on investigating the effects of several dietary compounds on the quality and preservation of stallion semen. This paper reviews the literature available on the use of nutritional supplementation for the improvement of reproductive performance and semen quality in equine species, critically appraising the benefits and negative effects of several compounds found in complementary feeds such as PUFAs from different sources, vitamins and antioxidants, carnitine and botanical extracts. Different nutraceuticals have been highlighted to improve stallion fertility by providing optimal levels of antioxidants, with the most promising results obtained by the combination of PUFAs and antioxidants that resulted to be essential for the maintenance of normal reproductive functions and the reduction of cryodamage in cooled and frozen equine semen.
Highlights
Over the past decades, progress in stallion semen preservation has contributed to the success of artificial insemination (AI) in equine reproduction (Aurich, 2012).The development of new AI techniques alongside with relevant advances made in cryoprotection of cooled and frozen semen have increased the quality of stallion semen and improved the reproductive efficiency of horses (Alvarenga et al, 2016; Aurich, 2005, 2008)
This paper reviews the literature available on the use of nutritional supplementation for the improvement of reproductive performance and semen quality in equine species, critically appraising the benefits and negative effects of several compounds found in complementary feeds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from different sources, vitamins and antioxidants, carnitine and botanical extracts
Different nutraceuticals have been highlighted to improve stallion fertility by providing optimal levels of antioxidants, with the most promising results obtained by the combination of PUFAs and antioxidants that resulted to be essential for the maintenance of normal reproductive functions and the reduction of cryodamage in cooled and frozen equine semen
Summary
Progress in stallion semen preservation has contributed to the success of artificial insemination (AI) in equine reproduction (Aurich, 2012).The development of new AI techniques alongside with relevant advances made in cryoprotection of cooled and frozen semen have increased the quality of stallion semen and improved the reproductive efficiency of horses (Alvarenga et al, 2016; Aurich, 2005, 2008). This paper reviews the literature available on the use of nutritional supplementation for the improvement of reproductive performance and semen quality in equine species, critically appraising the benefits and negative effects of several compounds found in complementary feeds such as PUFAs from different sources, vitamins and antioxidants, carnitine and botanical extracts.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
