Antigenic composition of blood group systems and sperm quality of stallion of different breeds

Abstract

Artificial insemination of mares with cryopreserved sperm is quite widespread in horse breeding practice and contributes to the efficiency of genetic improvement and preservation of breeds. The purpose of our research was to study the associations of erythrocyte antigen systems with the quality of stallions' sperm before and after freezing, taking into account their breed affiliation. Our studies evaluated the sperm production of 141 stallions tested on A, C, D, and K blood group systems that included 13 red blood cell antigens (Aa, Ad, Ca, Da, Db, Dc, Dd, De, Dg, Dh, Dk, Dm, and Ka). The evaluation of cryopreserved sperm was performed based on the average indicators of sperm activity in points and survival time in hours. The mobility of the newly obtained sperm of stallions varied in the range of 1.2-8.5 points with an average value of 4.45 points and minor differences between representatives of different breed types. The best indicators of activity (2.24 points) and survival (77 hours) of cryopreserved sperm were stallions of domestic heavy-strain breeds. The influence of a system of blood groups (F=3,023, P=0,006) on the activity of fresh sperm was revealed. The relatively good quality of cryopreserved sperm was distinguished by sires of riding breeds with the presence of Dc, Dg and Dm, Orlov Trotter stallions with Ca, K^-, Dg and Dk, as well as representatives of prize and heavy-duty breeds with Dd. The results obtained show that specific gene complexes and associations with productive traits are formed in horse breeds of different directions under the influence of selection, which should be taken into account in the methodology of scientific research.