Equine Infertility/Subfertility

Question 1

How do you treat Seminal Vesiculitis in stallions?

Answer 1

long term antibiotics

Seminal vesiculitis (inflammation of the seminal vesicles) is a cause of pyospermia in stallions. Diagnose via palpation, ultrasound, urethroscopy, and semen collection/evaluation. Treat with Enrofloxacin IV or Trimethoprim-sulfadiazine orally for 6 weeks

Question 2

When there are no sperm present in the ejaculate, this is termed:

Answer 2

azoospermia

Question 3

Oligospermia in the stallion is when there are <____ sperm per ejaculate

Answer 3

<500 million

Question 4

Summer Sores in horses are caused by:

Answer 4

Habronema muscae larva

• Habronema muscae larval lesions
• Urethral process or preputial orifice
• Larva stimulate granulomatous reaction
• Yellow caseous granules
• May impede urination
• Ivermectin is effective treatment

Question 5

Seminal plasma AlkP <100 IU/L suggests:

Answer 5

ejaculatory failure or blockage

Question 6

Sperm in the stallion are the final product of a ____ day process that starts at the base of the seminiferous tubule.

Answer 6

57 day​

Question 7

The tail of the epididymis is the major storage area for mature sperm, along with __________ and __________

Answer 7

The tail of the epididymis is the major storage area for mature sperm along with the ductus deferens and ampullae.

Question 8

Oligospermia and azoospermia in the stallion are diagnosed by measuring:

Answer 8

seminal plasma Alkaline Phosphatase

• >1000 IU/L suggests true ejaculation
• 100 to 1000 IU/L partial ejaculate or partial blockage
• <100 IU/L suggests ejaculatory failure or blockage
• Most normal stallions - >3000 IU/L

Question 9

The most common neoplasia of the equine penis/prepuce is __________

Answer 9

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

• More common in geldings
• Small plaque to shallow roughened ulcerated neoplasia
• Possible cryosurgery, surgical removal, reefing, penile amputation, topical medication
• Sarcoid next most common preputial tumor

Question 10

Spermatogenesis is a 57 day process that can be divided into three phases. What are the three phases?

Answer 10

• Spermatocytogenesis (mitosis)
• Meiosis (BT barrier)
• Spermiogenesis (elongation)

Question 11

What is an effective treatment for Summer Sores in horses?

Answer 11

Ivermectin

Question 12

Testicular degeneration in the stallion can be monitored with hormone profiles over three consecutive days. What abnormalities would be seen?

Answer 12

↑ FSH, ↓ Inhibin, ↓ Estrogen

Normal LH, normal testosterone

Question 13

__________ is the inability to ejaculate semen despite stimulation of the penis

Answer 13

Anejaculation

• Behavioral or physical
• Look at each component of breeding
  
  • Improper AV preparation
  • Improper phantom height, width
  • How is stallion handled?
• Try breeding to submissive mare showing prominent estrus
• Do PE/lameness exam on stallion
• Try different techniques

Question 14

What is meant by the creepy term “proud cut” in horses?

Answer 14

Animal castrated but some testicular tissue left behind

Question 15

How do you treat oligospermia/azoospermia?

Answer 15

• Rectal massage of the ampullae
• Oxytocin 20 IU immediately before collection
• Frequent collection

Question 16

T/F: Idiopathic Testicular Degeneration is genetic

Answer 16

True

Question 17

T/F: Good semen quality is a guarantee of adequate fertility

Answer 17

False

Good semen quality is not a guarantee of adequate fertility

Question 18

You have been called to a farm and have correctly diagnosed a mare with coital exanthema. This disease is caused by:

Answer 18

Equine herpesvirus 3

Equine coital exanthema is a benign venereal disease of horses that is caused by equine herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3). Sexual rest is essential to allow ulcers to heal and prevent spread of the disease. The use of antibiotic ointments to prevent secondary infections is also advisable.

Question 19

T/F: Poor semen quality is a good predictor of inadequate fertility

Answer 19

True