2. Stallion Physiology
Onset of sexual maturity 10-24 mo
Life span of sperm in female
tract
2-4 days
Survival time with fertilizing
capacity
1-2 days
Sperm output
Semen volume/ejaculate 20-100 ml
3. Sperm Production
• Sperm Output and
Production is
influenced by:
– Season
– Testicular size
– Age
– Frequency of
ejaculation
– Behavior
4. Number of Sperm Depends On:
• Seasonal Influences (Photoperiod)
– Effected Areas
• Ejaculate volume
• Sperm numbers
• Total sperm/ejaculate
• Sperm motility
• Willingness to breed
• Mounts before breeding
• Scrotal size
• Testosterone production
5. Mare Anatomy
• Vulva
• Vagina
• Cervix
• Uterus
• Oviducts
• Ovaries
Left Ovary
Oviduct
Left Uterine
Horn
Uterine Body
Cervix Vagina
7. Photoperiod Effect
• Reproductive activity in
spring is stimulated by
an increasing
photoperiod
• Mechanism
– Alteration of hormone
secretion by the pineal
gland and hypothalamus
8. Receptors in eye
Pineal gland
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
Ovaries
Increasing day length Decreasing day length
Neuropathway Neuropathway
Decreasing melatonin Increasing melatonin
Increasing GnRH Decreasing GnRH
Increasing
gonadotropins
Decreasing
gonadotropins
J F M A M J J A S O N D
11. Diestrus
Corpus Luteum
Formation
• Corpus luteum -
secretion of
progesterone.
• Progesterone -
responsible for
keeping the mare out
of heat and for
maintaining
pregnancy.
12. Signs of Estrus
• Most consistent
– Elevated tail raise
– Winking
• Other supporting signs
– Leaning
– Squatting
– Standing still
– Urinating
Ovary – 2X1.5” in diameter. Located on pinched in face of ovary is ovulation fossa – unique anatomical feature of equine ovary.
Oviducts = ~8-12”long.
Uterus – Body & 2 horns. 8” wide X 3” wide
Cervix – 2-3”. Longitudinal folds
Vagina – 7-9” long & 4-5” diameter
Anestrus – The period when most mares show no signs of reproductive activity at all.
Diestrus – The period when the mare is not receptive to the stallion (usually lasts 17-19 days)
Estrous – Entire reproductive cycle. The average length of the estrous cycle is 21-23 days (from one ovulation to the next).
Estrus – Refers to “heat”, the period when the mare is receptive to the stallion (usually lasts 5-6 days).
Photoperiod Effect
Reproductive activity in spring is stimulated by an increasing photoperiod
Mechanism
Alteration of hormone secretion by the pineal gland and hypothalamus