Category Archives: laboratory (stallion)

Comparing DNA Damage Assays

Posted: | April 18, 2026

Comparing DNA Damage Assays in Equine Sperm Preservation Background & Purpose Preserving sperm DNA integrity is critical for successful equine assisted reproduction. While low-temperature storage is traditional, above-15°C methods have emerged to reduce cold shock damage. Oxidative stress during any preservation method can cause DNA damage. This study compared the sensitivity of two DNA damage assays — the… Read More »

Dismount Semen Sample Evaluation

Posted: | April 4, 2026

Dismount Semen Sample Evaluation, Post-Mating Antibiotics, and Mare Clinical Parameters Background Purpose In Thoroughbred breeding, in-hand mating is the only permitted method, and dismount semen sample evaluations are routinely collected to confirm ejaculation and assess semen quality. Post-mating uterine antibiotic infusions (ceftiofur or ticarcillin) are commonly used to reduce infection risk. This study examined whether dismount sample characteristics… Read More »

Counting Sperm With a Hemocytometer

Posted: | September 15, 2025

Counting Sperm With a Hemocytometer Counting sperm to determine concentration is an essential part of evaluating or processing semen, and counting sperm with a hemocytometer is a very accurate method when performed correctly. In order to do anything with a reasonable expectation of success when preparing semen for use, one needs to know the raw sperm concentration. There… Read More »

Processing Equine Semen

Posted: | September 8, 2025

Processing Equine Semen It’s not difficult to correctly process equine (horse) semen for on-farm insemination or shipping, but it is one about which we often receive questions. Here we look at the basic steps behind achieving a good shipment. This article reviews management of a straightforward stallion. Poor quality semen or that with specific issues – although briefly… Read More »

Centrifugation – Tips, Techniques and Calculations

Posted: | May 24, 2022

Centrifugation of Stallion Semen – Tips and tricks for centrifugation of stallion semen, with a G-rate (RCF) calculator. Why centrifuge semen? See this article! By Jos Mottershead Why Centrifuge Semen? There are a number of reasons why one would choose to centrifuge stallion semen other than the obvious reasons such as during preparation prior to freezing. One of… Read More »

Equine Viral Arteritis

Posted: | October 22, 2021

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) – a detailed and descriptive article about equine viral arteritis (EVA), a disease which has severe negative reproductive implications. By: Kathy St.Martina, Jos Mottersheada, Dr. Peter Timoneyb aEquine-Reproduction.com LLC, Wynnewood, OK 73098, USA; bDepartment of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA… Read More »

Warming Semen in the Field

Posted: | January 31, 2021

Constructing An Emergency Slide Warmer – Sometimes lab equipment may not be available, so one has to become inventive. An emergency slide warmer is one such piece of equipment! By Jos Mottershead Sometimes lab equipment may not be available, so one has to become inventive. An emergency slide warmer is one such piece of equipment! Easily constructed –… Read More »

Individual Tuition

Posted: | December 17, 2020

One-on-one Horse Breeding Training While we are renowned for offering short courses on the subject of horse breeding worldwide, we not infrequently encounter people either at the courses or through our website who are in need of more specific one-on-one horse breeding training. Perhaps they do not own stallions but want to learn more about the reproductive aspects… Read More »

You’re Ready to Breed Your Mare – But is the Semen OK?

Posted: | December 15, 2020

The Semen Looked Bad – Or Is It? Maybe not as bad as you think! A review of what constitutes a cooled semen dose, looking at some newer research and older dogma. By Jos Mottershead and Kathy St. Martin During the course of the breeding season – especially on the EquineRepro Facebook Group that we manage – we… Read More »

Extender Evaluation

Posted: | November 2, 2020

Cooled Semen Extender Evaluation Service Facts about cooled semen extenders and your stallion Not all stallions have sperm that will respond the same to all extenders; Not only do different extenders have different ingredients, but there can be a difference in the response you see from your stallion’s sperm to different antibiotics used within those extenders! There is… Read More »