Frozen Horse Semen

Virginia Tech/College of Agriculture and Life Science
MARE Center News
December 2010, Volume 1, Issue 3

"Frozen semen accounts for approximately 5 to 10% of artificial inseminations today. There are several advantages to breeding with frozen semen but the major downside is reduced pregnancy rates compared to fresh or cooled semen. Poor post-thaw motility is one attributing factor. Julie Carrington, a senior from Virginia Tech is investigating effects of caffeine, pentoxifylline and taurine (the active ingredient in Red Bull), drugs that could potentially be used to improve motility, survivability and even fertility rates when using frozen semen. After assessing effects of these drugs on numerous stallions’ semen, we hope to identify an additive for frozen semen prior to insemination that will increase motility and subsequent pregnancy rates."

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