Effect of the Freezing Month and Breed on Post-Thaw Equine Semen Quality

Amel Najjar; Fatma Riahi; Sofiane Ezzar; Belgacem Benaoun

doi:10.29329/ijiaar.2026.1423.6

Research article | Open Access
International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research Volume 10 (2026)

Effect of the Freezing Month and Breed on Post-Thaw Equine Semen Quality

Amel Najjar, Fatma Riahi, Sofiane Ezzar, Belgacem Benaoun

pp. 1 - 12 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2026.1423.6

Publish Date: May 26, 2026 | Single/Total View: 0/1 | Single/Total Download: 1/0

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Abstract

The quality of frozen-thawed semen in stallions is an important component of equine reproduction and can be influenced by various intrinsic and environmental factors. This study investigated the effects of stallion breed and freezing month on post-thaw semen quality. A total of 96 ejaculates were collected from Arabian, Arab-Barb, and French Saddle stallions and frozen between November 2023 and March 2024 using a stantardized cryopreservation protocol. Post-thaw semen quality was evaluated based on sperm motility, viability, morphology (head, midpiece, tail defects and cytoplasmic droplets), membrane integrity, and sperm head area. The freezing month significantly affected sperm motility and membrane integrity (P < 0.05), with the highest values recorded in January and March. Midpiece and tail defects, as well as cytoplasmic droplets, varied significantly across months (P < 0.05), whereas sperm viability and head area were not affected (P > 0.05). Breed had a significant influence on semen quality. Arab-Barb stallions showed lower sperm motility and higher rates of head and midpiece defects compared to Arabian and French Saddle stallions (P < 0.05). However, sperm viability and membrane integrity were not affected by breed (P > 0.05). In conclusion, both breed and freezing month influenced post-thaw semen quality. January appeared to be a particularly favorable period for semen cryopreservation. These findings highlight the importance of considering breed- and season-related factors when optimizing semen cryopreservation protocols to improve reproductive efficiency in stallions.

Keywords: Stallion Reproduction, Semen Cryopreservation, Post-Thaw Semen Quality, Sperm Motility, Sperm Morphology, Stallions

How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Najjar, A., Riahi, F., Ezzar, S., & Benaoun, B. (2026). Effect of the Freezing Month and Breed on Post-Thaw Equine Semen Quality. International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 10(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2026.1423.6

Harvard
Najjar, A., Riahi, F., Ezzar, S. and Benaoun, B. (2026). Effect of the Freezing Month and Breed on Post-Thaw Equine Semen Quality. International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 10(1), pp. 1-12.

Chicago 16th edition
Najjar, Amel, Fatma Riahi, Sofiane Ezzar and Belgacem Benaoun (2026). "Effect of the Freezing Month and Breed on Post-Thaw Equine Semen Quality". International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research 10 (1):1-12. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2026.1423.6

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